Join the
Sixties generation

December 4

The Adventures of Mark Twain Collector's Edition (1985) Dir.: Will Vinton; voices of James Whitmore, Michele Mariana, Gary Krug, Chris Ritchie. Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher stow away with Mark Twain on his magical airship and take an incredible journey through time in search of Halley's Comet. Along the way they encounter a variety of Twain's storybook characters from "The Diary of Adam and Eve," "Huckleberry Finn", "The Mysterious Stranger," "The Famous Jumping Frog of Caliverous County" and "Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven." Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary by director Will Vinton, "Story of Claymation," behind-the-scenes featurette, "The Music of Mark Twain" selected music tracks, crew interviews, still gallery, trailer. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012) A rare and privileged look at the heroic life of one of the world's most acclaimed -- and persecuted -- artists. Journalist and filmmaker Alison Klayman was granted unprecedented access to Ai Weiwei to present this first feature-length portrait of the sculptor, photographer, filmmaker and installation artist. Ai was widely praised for his work on the "Bird's Nest" stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but that same year his criticism of the Chinese government following the Sichuan earthquake that claimed thousands of schoolchildren made him a target of the powers that be. The documentary presents a rare look inside modern China while documenting Ai's courageous artistic process in preparation for major museum exhibitions, his intimate exchanges with family members, and his increasingly $29.98. (IFC Entertainment).

Advertisement

Angry Boys (2011) Three-disc set with 12 episodes. Formats: DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.98; Digital. Extras: S.mouse concert and music videos, deleted scenes, bloopers. (HBO).

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly, Lowell Landes, Pamela Harper. Read more about "Beasts of the Southern Wild" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "The Making of Beasts of the Southern Wild." Blu-ray adds deleted scenes, auditions (Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry), "Glory at Sea," "Music" and "The Aurochs" featurettes. (Fox).

Brazil Blu-ray (1985) In this dystopic masterpiece, Jonathan Pryce plays a daydreaming everyman who finds himself caught in the soul-crushing gears of a nightmarish bureaucracy. This cautionary tale by Terry Gilliam, one of the great films of the 1980s, now ranks alongside antitotalitarian works by the likes of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. And in terms of set design, cinematography, music, and effects, this nonstop dazzler stands alone. Co-stars Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Richardson, Kim Greist, Jim Broadbent. Restored high-definition digital transfer of Gilliam's 142-minute director's cut, supervised by Gilliam, with DTS-HD Master Audio surround soundtrack. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary by Gilliam; "What Is Brazil?," a 30-minute on-set documentary by Rob Hedden; "The Battle of Brazil: A Video History," a 60-minute documentary by author and film writer Jack Mathews about the controversy surrounding the film's release; the "Love Conquers All" version of "Brazil," a 94-minute cut of the film produced by the studio in an attempt to make it more commercial, with commentary by "Brazil" expert David Morgan; "The Production Notebook," a collection of supplements featuring a trove of Brazil-iana from Gilliam's personal collection: a short documentary on the screenplay, featuring interviews with screenwriters Gilliam, Charles McKeown, and Tom Stoppard; Gilliam's storyboards for unfilmed dream sequences, animated and narrated by Morgan; visual essays on the film's production design and special effects; a visual essay on "Brazil's" costumes, narrated by costume designer James Acheson; and interviews with Gilliam and composer Michael Kamen on the score; trailer; booklet featuring an essay by film critic David Sterritt. (The Criterion Collection).

Butter (2012) Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman, Ashley Greene, Rob Corddry, Alicia Silverstone, Kristen Schaal, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Yara Shahidi. In small-town Iowa, an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman -- the wife of the perennial butter champion who has stepped down -- in their town's annual contest. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: Gag reel, deleted and extended scenes. (Anchor Bay).

Catch Me If You Can BLU-RAY DEBUT (2002) Dir.: Steven Spielberg; Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Nathalie Baye, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner. Extras: "Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera," "Catch Me If You Can: The Casting of the Film," "The FBI Perspective," "Catch Me If You Can: In Closing," photo galleries. (Paramount).

Chiller: The Complete Television Series The television series "Chiller" was a five episode horror anthology that aired in the UK in 1995. Presented here for the first time in the U.S., these supernatural shockers feature malevolent spirits, a brutal serial killer and a haunted house set in contemporary England. Episodes in the two-disc set include "Prophecy," "Toby," "Here Comes the Mirror Man," "The Man Who Didn't Believe in Ghosts" and "Number Six." Formats: DVD, $29.95. (Synapse Films).

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Dir.: Christopher Nolan; Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Josh Pence, Nestor Carbonell, Alon Aboutboul, Matthew Modine. Read more about "The Dark Knight Rises" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "The Journey of Bruce Wayne." Blu-ray adds "The Batmobile Documentary," "Ending the Knight" 14-part behind-the-scenes documentary, characters featurettes: "A Girl's Gotta Eat" and "Shadows & Light in Large Format," "Reflections: The End of a Legend," trailers, art gallery. (Warner).

The Dark Knight Trilogy "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises." Formats: DVD, $38.99 Blu-ray Disc, $52.99. Extras: Includes all the bonus features from all three releases. (Warner).

Decasia (2002) A symphony of deteriorated nitrate found film footage. Drawing from a century of film history scoured from archives like the George Eastman House and the Museum of Modern Art, multi-media artist Bill Morrison has assembled a poetic collage of images marked by the swirling silver abstractions created by the decomposing nitrate emulsion. Fragments of the images remain, offering a panorama of 20th century life as caught on the film. For all the beauty that it finds in the deterioration of its source material, "Decasia" is an elegy for all that is lost when we do not preserve our cultural memory. With a "thunderous and dissonant" score written by Bang on a Can co-founder Michael Gordon and performed by the 55-piece Basel Sinfonietta. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "Light Is Calling," an eight minute cine-poem created from decaying archival footage. (IcarusFilms).
Watch a clip:

The Dog Who Saved the Holidays (2012 -- TV) Shelley Long, Michael Gross, Gary Valentine, Elisa Donovan, Dean Cain, voice talents of Joey Lawrence and Peyton List. A pair of pooches -- rivals for a family's affections -- team up to prevent thieves from breaking into their house just before Christmas. Formats: DVD. (Anchor Bay).

Eastbound & Down: The Complete Third Season (2012) Two-disc set with eight episodes. Formats: DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray Disc, $39.98; Digital. Extras: Outtakes, blooper reel, deleted scenes, "Dinner with the Schaeffer's" exclusive deleted scene, eight commentaries. (HBO).

Elf-Man (2012) Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, Jeffrey Combs, Mackenzie Astin. An Elf is left behind by Santa to help the Harper family kids when their inventor father is kidnapped and thieves want to steal his latest creation. Formats: DVD. (Anchor Bay).

Finding Nemo BLU-RAY DEBUT (2003) Voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Geoffrey Rush, Elizabeth Perkins, Eric Bana and director Andrew Stanton. Available in a five-Disc Blu-ray 3D Ultimate Collector's Edition (2 Blu-ray 2D + 1 Blu-ray 3D + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy) and three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack (2 Blu-ray 2D + 1 DVD). Extras: "Cine-Explore": Director Andrew Stanton, co-director Lee Unkrich and co-writer Bob Peterson sit down to dissect the film in this extensive Picture-in- Picture commentary; "Finding Nemo: A Filmmakers' Roundtable"; "Reinventing the Submarine Voyage" at Disneyland; deleted scenes; "Knick Knack" pre-"Toy Story" short; "Art Review" of pre-production artwork; "Making Nemo" featurette; "Exploring the Reef" look at the beauty of the world's endangered coral reefs with host Jean-Michel Cousteau; Pixar Studio Tour; "Old School" quick-hit extras: "El Capitan Pitch Selects," "School Progression," "MA Reference," "Whale Mouth," International Mine," "Pelican Animation," "Glenn McQueen Tribute" and "Aquascum 2003"; outtakes; publicity pieces; "Mr. Ray's Encyclopedia" of real undersea creatures; "Aquariums" collection of short-loop ocean floor screensavers. (Disney).

Francis Ford Coppola 5-Film Collection Francis Ford Coppola has made a name for himself in cinema history as one of the most influential filmmakers of his time. With five Academy Award wins, his work is loved by mainstream audiences, critics, independent film enthusiasts and fans alike. In honor of his fearless innovative filmmaking career, fans can now own a stunning collection featuring five films directed by Coppola -- available together on Blu-ray for the first time: "Apocalypse Now," "Apocalypse Now Redux," "Tetro," "The Conversation" and "One From the Heart" (available for the first time in high definition). $39.99. Formats:Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Hours of special features, including commentaries, featurettes, music videos, interviews. (Lionsgate).

Fred 3: Camp Fred (2012) Lucas Cruikshank, Daniella Monet, John Cena, Tom Arnold. Third movie based on Fred the YouTube sensation: Fred's summer doesn't go as planned when he is trapped at camp by an evil counselor, but with the help of his new friends, he battles a rival camp and turns the summer into a fun time. Formats: DVD $14.98, VOD, Digital. Extras: Three behind-the-scenes featurettes. (Lionsgate).

The Fred 3-Movie Collection (2012) All three "Fred" films, $24.98. Formats: DVD. (Lionsgate).

HALO 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012) Live-action digital series based on the bestselling Xbox franchise that brings a brand new "Halo" story to life. Set against the backdrop of a United Nations Space Command military academy, a group of cadets are training to be the next generation of leaders in the ongoing war with insurrectionists in the outer colonial planets. Among these cadets, Thomas Lasky struggles with his doubts about this war and with the burden of expectations he may not be able to carry. As Lasky comes to terms with his potential as a military leader, the terrifying alien alliance known as the Covenant arrives and threatens to destroy everything he knows. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (343 Industries and Microsoft Studios).

Hermano (2010 -- Venezuela) Eliu Arma, Fernando Moreno. A powerful and universal tale about two brothers whose hopes and dreams of success as soccer players are put to the ultimate test when violence, tragedy and family responsibility rear their heads. Venezuela's official Academy Award selection for Best Foreign-language Film of 2010. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with director Marcel Rasquin, interview with Rasquin, theatrical trailer and tv spots. (Music Box Films).

Hope Springs (2012) Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell, Jean Smart, Elisabeth Shue, Marin Ireland, Ben Rappaport, Patch Darragh, Brett Rice. Read more about "Hope Springs" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with director David Frankel, gag reel, "Exploring the Scene": alternate takes gallery, "Inside the Perfect Marriage": Meryl Streep & Tommy Lee Jones featurette. Blu-ray adds four featurettes: "An Intimate Look at Making Hope Springs," "An Expert's Guide to Everlasting Passion," "The Doctor Is In: Steve Carell on Dr. Feld" and "The Passionate Performer." (Sony).

Jane Fonda: Prime Time AM/PM Yoga For Beginners (2012) Features Fonda's five favorite beginners' yoga exercises designed for mornings and evenings: Abs & Back (AM), Energy (AM), Strength (AM), Mobility (PM) and Relaxation (PM), $14.98. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Bonus balance segment, custom workout option, music-only option. (Lionsgate).

Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters -- Creatures Unleashed (2012) Five episodes of the Hasbro kids TV series, $14.97. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: (Shout! Factory).

Men of a Certain Age: The Complete Second Season (2010-11) Three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.98. Formats: DVD. (Warner).

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic -- Adventures in the Crystal Empire (2012) Five episodes of the pre-school series, $14.97. In the two-part title adventure, a magical empire has suddenly appeared in the arctic north of Equestria, and Princess Celestia needs Twilight Sparkle and her friends to find a way to protect it. Formats: DVD. (Shout! Factory Kids).

Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXV (2011) Four episodes previously unreleased on DVD: "Robot Holocaust," "Operation Kid Brother," "Kitten With a Whip" and "Revenge of the Creature," $59.97. Formats: DVD. Extras: Introductions by Mike Nelson and Joel Hodgson; "Life After MST3K: J. Elvis Weinstein," "Jack Arnold at Universal," "Life After MST3K: Bill Corbett," four exclusive Mini-Posters by artist Steve Vance. MST-ies who order this collection from ShoutFactory.com will receive bonus good-tidings in the form of a DVD featuring all nine installments of the MST-riffed, season one serial "Radar Men From the Moon," presented together for the first time, including the previously unreleased chapter "Hills of Death." (Shout! Factory).

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012) Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Dianne Wiest, CJ Adams, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ron Livingston, M. Emmet Walsh, Odeya Rush, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lois Smith, David Morse, Common. Read more about "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: "“Family Roots: Bringing The Odd Life of Timothy Green to the Screen" documentary, "Glen Hansard: Behind 'This Gift'" closing song, "This Gift" music video by Glen Hansard, deleted scenes, commentary. (Disney).

Oklahoma! BLU-RAY DEBUT (1999) Hugh Jackman and Maureen Lipman star in the multi-award-winning Royal National Theatre production of the Broadway favorite. Extras: "The Making of Oklahoma!" (Image Entertainment).

One From the Heart BLU-RAY DEBUT (1982) Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Raul Julia, Nastassja Kinski, Lainie Kazan, Harry Dean Stanton, Allen Garfield. Part of "Francis Ford Coppola 5-Film Collection," which also includes "Apocalypse Now," "Apocalypse Now Redux," "The Conversation" and "Tetro." (Lionsgate).

Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Complete Season (2012) Single-disc with 20 episodes. Formats: DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray Disc, $39.99; Digital. (Lionsgate).

Purple Noon (1960) Alain Delon was at his most impossibly beautiful when "Purple Noon (Plein soleil)" was released and made him an instant star. This ripe, colorful adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's vicious novel, "The Talented Mr. Ripley," directed by the versatile Rene Clement, stars Delon as Tom Ripley, a duplicitous American charmer in Rome on a mission to bring his privileged, devil-may-care acquaintance Philippe Greenleaf back to the United States; what initially seems a carefree tale of friendship soon morphs into a thrilling saga of seduction, identity theft, and murder. Featuring gorgeous on-location photography in coastal Italy, "Purple Noon" is crafted with a light touch that allows it to be suspenseful and erotic at once, while giving Delon the role of a lifetime. New digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New video interview with Rene Clement scholar Denitza Bantcheva; archival interviews with actor Alain Delon and novelist Patricia Highsmith; original English-language trailer; booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoffrey O'Brien and a reprinted interview with Clement. (The Criterion Collection).

Silent Night (2012) Malcolm McDowell, Jaime King, Donal Logue, Lisa Marie, Brendan Fehr, Ellen Wong. A loose remake of the horror classic "Silent Night, Deadly Night" about a small-town sheriff and his deputy on the hunt for a murderous Santa Claus terrorizing their community on Christmas Eve. But with the streets full of Santas for the annual Christmas parade, the killer is hiding in plain sight. He's made his list, checked it twice, and the naughty are going to pay with their lives. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: "Silent Night: Behind the Scenes" featurette, deleted scenes. (Anchor Bay).

Silent Night, Deadly Night/Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 (1984/1987) Christmas Survival Double feature. Formats: DVD. Extras: Audio interview with director Charles E. Sellier, Jr., poster and still gallery, "Santa's Stocking of Outrage"; commentary with writer-director Lee Harry, writer Joseph H. Earle and actor James Newman; trailer; poster and still gallery; screenplay. (Anchor Bay).

The Simpsons Season 15 (2003-04) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary, animation showcase, "All Aboard With Matt," commercials, deleted scenes, more. Blu-ray adds "The Otto Show," "Das Bus," "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge." (Fox).

Suddenly BLU-RAY DEBUT (1954) Frank Sinatra, Sterling Hayden, James Gleason, Nancy Gates. Transferred from the original 35mm studio fine grain master print. Extras: Commentaries by Frank Sinatra Jr. and USC film professor Dr. Drew Casper. (Image Entertainment).

Sugar Mommas (2012) Vanessa Williams, Terri J. Vaughn, Rachel True, Lamman Rucker, Tommy Ford. Family friendly, Dove-approved inspirational stage play. When very different sisters Sheila and Lynn find themselves at crossroads in their lives and needing change, they partner with their close friend Tommi to open a bakery ... where they face new challenges, old rivalries and even a chance at love. Formats: DVD. Extras: Music video, photo gallery. (One Village Entertainment/Image Entertainment).

Surviving Disaster With Amanda Ripley (2012) Provides a rare glimpse into disasters as seen through the eyes of survivors, experts and scientists. This program explains what all people should know about preparedness and their own neurology to help them survive disasters of any kind. Each survivor shares the story of the events that he or she survived, and scientists explain the commonalities of the experiences to show how our brains may predictably behave in crisis situations. Formats: DVD, $24.99. (PBS Distribution).

Thunderstruck (2012) Kevin Durant, Taylor Gray, Brandon T. Jackson, Doc Shaw, Jim Belushi. When Brian, a hopelessly uncoordinated young basketball fan magically switches talents with his hero (NBA superstar Kevin Durant, playing himself), he becomes the star of his high school team .. . while Durant suddenly can't make a shot to save his life. But with the NBA playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner involves working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero's season.Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo,Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "KD's Klinic" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Coach Z" interview with Jim Belushi, "From Backboards to Clapboards" featurette. (Warner).

Titanic: Blood & Steel (2011) Three-disc set of the 12-part miniseries, $29.98. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "The Visual Effects of Titanic: Blood & Steel" featurette, "Making of Titanic: Blood & Steel" featurette. (Lionsgate).

Unforgivable (2011 -- France) Dir.: Andre Techine; Andre Dussollier, Carole Bouquet, Melanie Thierry, Adriana Asti, Mauro Conte. Francis (Dussollier) is a successful crime writer who moves to Venice to work on his next novel. When he meets model-turned-real-estate-agent Judith (Bouquet), he is instantly infatuated. Francis and Judith eventually marry and move to a remote house on Torcello Island but Francis' newfound happiness hinders his writing. Obsessing over what Judith does while at work, he hires a young ex-convict to investigate. As Judith's sexual past is revealed, both men become increasing fixated on the mysterious woman. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice, the film examines the consequences of unresolved past relationships and their far-reaching effects into the future. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).

Up 3D (2009) Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Bob Peterson, Jordan Nagai, Delroy Lindo. Formats: Five-Disc Combo: 1 Blu-ray 3D + 2 Blu-ray +1 DVD + Digital Copy). Extras: Commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson; "Dug's Special Mission" original short; "The Many Endings of Muntz" featurette; "Partly Cloudy" short film; "Adventure is Out There" documentary tells the story of the filmmakers' visit to the Tepuis Mountains of South America to research the design and story of the film. Blu-ray adds "Cine-Explore" commentary/featurette; "Geriatric Hero" character study of Carl and Muntz; "Canine Companions" introduction to the design, behavior and language of dogs; "Russell: Wilderness Explorer" character study; "Our Giant Flightless Friend, Kevin"; "Homemakers of Pixar," which follows the development of the house from story to art to its ultimate realization in the computer; "Balloons and Flight" featurette; "Composing for Characters" featurette; "Married Life" alternate scene and expanded character backstory; "Global Guardian Badge" game. (Disney).

A Vampire's Tale (aka Umbrage) (2010) Doug Bradley, Rita Ramnani, Jonnie Hurn, Natalia Celino. When a dysfunctional family moves into a remote farm, they find themselves in the middle of a centuries old feud between a deadly seductress and a vampire cowboy hell bent on revenge. Formats: DVD. Extras: Commentary with director Drew Cullingham and actors Doug Bradley and James Fisher; "Taking Umbrage: The Making of a Vampire's Tale" featurette; music video by the Hokie Joint. (Lionsgate).

We Can Be Heroes (2005 -- Australia) Two-disc set with six episodes, $29.98. Formats: DVD, Digital. Extras: Deleted scenes, outtakes, behind-the scenes featurette, "Ricky at the Logies" featurette. (HBO).

World Without End (2012) Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson, Ben Chaplin, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Peter Firth, Charlotte Riley, Rupert Evans, Sarah Gadon. Eight-hour ReelzChannel miniseries. Times are tougher than ever in 14th century England as the country is on the brink of war with France and the citizens are facing The Plague that will eventually decimate one-third of its population. A feisty young woman (Riley) inspires her medieval town to confront the most powerful forces of her time -- namely the Church and the Crown -- as they fight to save their town from ruin, and ultimately usher in a new era of freedom, innovation and enlightenment. Adaptation of Ken Follett's global bestseller. Formats: Two-disc DVD, two-disc Blu-ray. Extras: "The Making of Ken Follett's World Without End" featurette. (Sony).

Wu Dang (2012) Wenzhuo Zhao, Yang Mi, Fan Siu-Wong. In the early days of Republican China, an American man -- greedy for gold and hungry for riches -- brings his daughter, a prodigy in martial arts, to compete for a championship title in kung fu combat, while planning to find and steal secret treasures hidden in Wu Dang mountain. With action choreography by Corey Yuen. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. Extras: Behind-the-Scenes featurette, deleted and extended scenes. (Well Go USA).

Back to top

December 11

Ashanti (1979) Dir.: Richard Fleischer; Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov, Rex Harrison, William Holden, Beverly Johnson, Kabir Bedi, Omar Sharif. Michael Caine stars as Dr. David Linderby, half of a married U.N. medical team vaccinating native villages in West Africa. When his skinny-dipping wife (supermodel Beverly Johnson) is abducted by a depraved Arab slave trader (Peter Ustinov), there's no time for diplomacy, and he enlists a human-trafficking activist (Rex Harrison), a cynical mercenary (William Holden) and a vengeful Bedouin (Kabir Bedi), to pursue his wife's slavers 3,000 miles across the Sahara before she can be sold at auction to wealthy Saudis. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Restored in HD from original vault elements. Extras: First-ever DVD interview with Beverly Johnson on the film's notorious history. (Severin Films).

Babes in Toyland BLU-RAY DEBUT (1961) Ray Bolger, Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Ed Wynn. (Disney).

Bigfoot County (2012) Stephon Stewart, Davee Youngblood, Shy Pilgreen. "Found" footage film about a documentary crew that travels to Siskiyou County, California, known for its Bigfoot sightings. Formats: DVD. (Lionsgate).

Black Like Me (1964) James Whitmore, Sorrell Booke, Roscoe Lee Browne, Al Freeman Jr., Will Geer, Robert Gerringer, Clifton James. Based on the landmark memoir by John Howard Griffin, "Black Like Me" stars Whitmore as Griffin, who medically altered his pigment and, with the help of a sunlamp, reinvented himself as an itinerant black writer navigating his way through Mississippi and Alabama. Along the way he experienced firsthand both crushing racism and the incredible life force of the black communities. Thanks to a full restoration from the original negative, this is the first time "Black Like Me" has been released on DVD. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Video Services Corp.).

The Bourne Legacy (2012) Tony Gilroy. Stars: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Dennis Boutsikaris, Oscar Isaac, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn. Read more about "The Bourne Legacy" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scenes: "Re-Bourne" production featurette; "Capturing Chaos: The Motorbike Chase" featurette; commentary with director/co-writer Tony Gilroy, co-writer Dan Gilroy, editor John Gilroy, director of photography Robert Elswit, second Unit director Dan Bradley and production designer Kevin Thompson. Blu-ray adds "Enter Aaron Cross" featurette on how Jeremy Renner prepared for the role of Aaron Cross; "Crossing Continents: Legacy on Location" featurette; "Man vs. Wolf" featurette; "Wolf Sequence" test; "Moving Targets: Aaron and Marta" behind-the-scenes character featurette.(Universal).

The Caretaker (2012) Anna Burgess, Clint Dowdell, Colin MacPherson, Lee Mason, Mark White. As a wave of vampirism sweeps the world, a small but discordant group hole up in a country mansion in Victoria, Australia. A vampire, who has also occupied the mansion, offers them a deal: If they protect him from humans during the day, he'll protect them from other vampires at night. Formats: DVD. (MVD Entertainment).

Collision Earth (2011) Kirk Acevedo, Diane Farr, Chad Krowchuk, Jessica Parker Kennedy. When a massive comet strikes the Sun, it knocks Mercury out of orbit, sending it hurtling towards Earth, triggering gravitational chaos around the world. Only a disgraced scientist and a lone surviving crewmember on a crippled space shuttle can stop this Extinction Level Event by re-activating the top-secret planetary defense system known as "Project 7." Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay).

Creep Van (2012) Brian Kolodziej, Amy Wehrell, Gerald Emerick, Collin Bernsen. A twentysomething out-of-options misfit teams up with a sleazy con man to hunt down and stop the mysterious Creep who has been terrorizing the community by killing and torturing victims with a host of elaborate booby traps inside the rusted shell of the Creep Van or by running down those unwilling to climb aboard the dilapidated 70s van.Formats: DVD. Extras: "Anatomy of a Killer Van Smash" and "Creep Van: Under the Hood" featurettes; "Bits and Pieces" (interview with the actors); deleted scene; commentary by the filmmakers. (Inception Media Group).

The Curse of the Titanic Sisters (2004) The Titanic was just one of three flawed White Star liners that came to tragic ends: the Olympic and Britannic also met disaster. This documentary looks at the doomed maritime trifecta. Formats: DVD, $9.98. (Entertainment One).

Death Valley (1982) Catherine Hicks, Paul Le Mat, Stephen McHattie, Peter Billingsley. A divorcee, her son and her boyfriend on vacation in the beautiful but deadly Death Valley happen upon a murder and find themselves pursued by a maniac. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: Commentary with director Dick Richards. (Scream Factory/Shout! Factory).

Dick Tracy BLU-RAY DEBUT (1990) Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, Charlie Korsmo, William Forsythe, Glenne Headly, Seymour Cassel. (Disney).

Django! Before there was Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" (due to hit theaters Dec. 25), there was Django -- the highly influential Spaghetti Western film series. Timeless Media Group -- a division of Shout! Factory -- will release two Django double bills at $6.95 each: "Django! A Man Called Django/Django and Sartana Showdown in the West" and "Django! Cut Price Corpses/Django Kills Silently." "A Man Called Django" (1971): After Django's wife is raped and killed by a group of ruthless renegades, Django (Anthony Steffen) rescues the only man who can identify the murders, a loud mouthed thief who is about to be hanged. The men team up and head west, looking for revenge. "Django and Sartana Showdown in the West" (1970): A vicious gang of outlaws abduct Jessica Colby and flee to Mexico. Django (Franco Borelli) the bounty hunter and Sartana the gunslinger join forces to rescue her from the gang. "Django Kills Silently" (1967): A small caravan of colonists are fighting off an attack by a band of Mexican outlaws, when a young cowboy named Django (George Eastman) happens to come to their aid. After saving a young woman, Liana, they travel to Santa Anna to find the outlaws and avenge her husband's death. "Django's Cut Price Corpses "(1971): Bounty hunter Django (Jeff Cameron) is hot on the trail of infamous bank robbers, the Cortez Brothers. But he's not alone. Fulton is sent by the bank to get the money back; Pickwick is after a saddle stolen from him; Pedro and Dolores, saloon owners, also would like to get the stolen loot. Formats: DVD. (Timeless Media/Shout! Factory).

Doomsday Book (2012) Anthology film by directors Kim Ji-woon and Yim Pil-sung, who present three interpretations on an apocalyptic theme. In the first film, Yim Pil-Sung opens with "Brave New World," starring Ryoo Seung-bum as a young man trying to survive in a world infected by biological toxins. The centerpiece of the film, "Heavily Creature," directed by Kim Ji-woon, stars Kim Kang-woo, Kim Gyu-ri and Park Hae-il as citizens of Seoul who must deal with the innovations of the high-tech modern world where a religion-practicing robot achieves enlightenment and must escape the evil manufacturer who wants to destroy it. Yim Pil-Sung closes the film with "Happy Birthday," starring newcomer Song Sae-byoek, Jin Ji-hee and Bae Doo-na. Elementary school student Park Min-seo accidentally order a mysterious package off the internet that puts Earth and all its inhabitants at risk of extinction. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Well Go USA ).

Dreams of a Life (2011 -- UK/Ireland) An imaginative and multilayered quest to go beyond the newspaper reports and solve the mystery of who 38-year-old Joyce Vincent was and why she lay undiscovered for three years after her death in one of the busiest parts of London. Nobody noticed when 38-year old Joyce Vincent died in her bedsit above a shopping mall in North London in 2003. When her skeleton was discovered three years later, her heating and her television were still on. Newspaper reports offered few details of Joyce's life -- not even a photograph. Who was Joyce Vincent? And how could this happen to someone in our day and age? This documentary is director Carol Morley's quest to discover who Joyce was and how she came to be so forgotten. Morley placed advertisements in newspapers, on the Internet and on the side of a London taxi to discover Joyce's former friends, lovers and colleagues. Their testimonies, together with re-imagined scenes from Joyce's life, form a multilayered portrait of Joyce, and an insight into the world she inhabited. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).

Following (1999) Before he became a sensation with the twisty revenge story "Memento," Christopher Nolan fashioned this low-budget, black-and-white, 16mm neonoir with comparable precision and cunning. Supplying irrefutable evidence of Nolan's directorial bravura, "Following" is the fragmented tale of an unemployed young writer who trails strangers through London, hoping that they will provide inspiration for his first novel. He gets more than he bargained for with one of his unwitting subjects, who leads him down a dark, criminal path. With gritty aesthetics and a made-on-the-fly vibe (many shots were simply stolen on the streets, unbeknownst to passersby), "Following" is a mind-bending psychological journey that shows the remarkable beginnings of one of today's most acclaimed filmmakers. New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director Christopher Nolan, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition. New 5.1 surround sound mix by sound editor Gary Rizzo, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray edition. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary by Nolan, new interview with Nolan, chronological rendering of the story, side-by-side comparison of three scenes in the film with the shooting script, "Doodlebug" (1997), a three-minute film by Nolan, starring Jeremy Theobald; trailers; booklet featuring an essay by film critic and programmer Scott Foundas. (The Criterion Collection).

41 (2012) Rare, intimate glimpse at the life and times of the 41st president of the United States. The first documentary to tell George Herbert Walker Bush's story in his own words, the docu features unprecedented access to President Bush as he reflects on the highs and lows of his life from his beloved summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine and presidential library in Texas. Formats: DVD, $19.98. (HBO).

Gangsters, Guns and Zombies (2012) Vincent Jerome, Huggy Leaver, Fabrizio Santino. In post-zombie England, a botched robbery leads a motley crew of thieves into an apocalyptic battle with a zombie horde. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (XLrator Media).

Gayby (2011) Jenn Harris, Matthew Wilkas. An irreverent comedy about friendship, growing older, sex, loneliness, and the family you choose: Two best friends decide to have a baby together the old fashioned way ... despite the fact that she's straight and he's gay. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Wolfe Video).

Girls: The Complete First Season (2012) Two-disc set with 10 episodes. Formats: DVD, $39.98; Blu-ray Disc, $49.99; Digital. Extras: "A Conversation With the Girls," "A Conversation With Lena Dunham and Judd Apatow," five commentaries. Blu-ray adds "The Making of Girls," gag reels, deleted scenes, cast interviews, 20-page booklet containing a collection of Lena Dunham's tweets and behind-the-scenes photos. (HBO).

Gunsmoke: The Seventh Season, Volume 1 (1961-62) Five-disc set with 17 episodes. Formats: DVD, $39.95. Extras: Vintage sponsor messages. (Paramount).

Hazel: The Complete Fourth Season (1964-65) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $34.93. Formats: DVD. Extras: Original promotional material. (Shout! Factory).

Heavyweights BLU-RAY DEBUT (1995) Ben Stiller, Kenan Thompson, David Goldman, Joseph Wayne Miller, Cody Burger, Allen Covert, Aaron Schwartz, Shaun Weiss, Tom Hodges, Paul Feig, Tom McGowan. Extras: "The Making of Heavyweights," commentary, 30 deleted and extended scenes, video chat with Judd Apatow and Kenan Thompson, Super 8 footage of the cast and crew, Judd's art project: his bizarre photos from the set, "Where Are They Now?" trailer. (Disney).

History Detectives: Season 10 (2012) Three-disc set with five episodes of the series devoted to exploring the complexities of historical mysteries and searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects. Could these top experts have found the long-lost electric Fender Stratocaster Bob Dylan plugged in at the '65 Newport Folk Festival? They also track down some autographs allegedly signed during the Beatles' legendary U.S. tour in 1964, the story behind an old 78rpm distributed by K.K.K. Records, and an old Woolworth sign that may have been part of the scene at the 1960 Winston-Salem lunch-counter sit-ins. Formats: DVD. Extras: (PBS Distribution).

Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) Voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Peter Dinklage, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Wedge, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Aziz Ansari, Alain Chabat, Jason Fricchione, Nick Frost. Read more about "Ice Age: Continental Drift" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, 3D Blu-ray. Blu-ray Extras: Party with a Pirate! mode; featurettes: "Through a Pirate's Spyglass: Voices Ahoy and Capturing the Crew," "Granny and the Stink of the Sloths," "Scrat Got Your Tongue?" "Whale of a Tale: Drifts, Rifts, Beasties and Myths"; Shimmy Shake Music Section: "Gutt's Sing-Along Shanty Shimmy Shake," "We Are" extended music video, "Chasing the Sun" by The Wanted music video, "The Sid Shuffle" dance along; deleted scenes; "Ice Age: The Story So Far"; "The Scratist"; sign along mode with American Sign Language interpretation from actor Sean Berdy. (Fox).

The Island (1980) Dir.: Michael Ritchie; Michael Caine, David Warner, Jeffrey Frank. An investigative writer who takes on the most baffling mystery of the disappearance of boats and their passengers in the Caribbean is captured by modern day pirates. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. (Scream factory/Shout! Factory).

The Joy Luck Club BLU-RAY DEBUT (1993 Dir.: Wayne Wang; Tamlyn Tomita, Rosalind Chao, Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, France Nuyen, Lisa Lu, Ming-Na Wen. (Disney).

Kill 'Em All (2012) Johnny Messner, Chia Hui Liu, Joe Lewis, Tim Man, Ammara Siripong, Brahim Achabbakhe, Erik Markus Schuetz. Captured international assassins are locked up inside a high-tech bunker known as the Killing Chamber and to break out they must duel each other, fight deadly ninjas, battle against gangs of masked maniacs and confront Snakehead, the lethal, deranged top dog. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. (Well Go USA).

Les Miserables BLU-RAY DEBUT (1998) Dir.: Bille August; Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman, Claire Danes. Extras: "A First Look at Les Miserables" featurette. (Sony).

The Luchino Visconti Collection: Four Films (2012) Five-disc set with restored and remastered editions of "La Terra Trema," "Bellissima," "Ludwig" and "L'innocente"; $49.98. Formats: DVD. (Entertainment One).

Mankind (2012) Three-disc set of the 12-hour History miniseries. From the producers of "America: The Story of Us" comes the epic tale of the rise of civilization. Mankind" spans the first flourishing of life in Mesopotamia through the discovery of America, capturing the danger, action, struggle, heroism, and adrenaline using groundbreaking historical and graphic techniques. "Mankind" embraces a groundbreaking way of telling the epic human story, drawing on a growing global interest in a revelatory field of history, now adopted by universities across the globe: "Big history," which focuses on the forces of nature to show how mankind's path is guided by events that stretch back, not hundreds, but thousands, even millions of years. How the power of science, from geology and astronomy, to physics and biology, combined to shape our shared human journey. Formats: DVD, $34.95; Blu-ray Disc, $39.95. (A&E).

Miami Connection (1987) Raging synth rock, furious TaeKwon-Do and kill-crazy motorcycle ninjas all collide in this must-see midnight movie sensation as martial arts rock band Dragon Sound embark on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice in the streets of Orlando. Following "Miami Connection's" near-nonexistent theatrical/VHS release in 1987, the film vanished into obscurity. Over two decades later, Austin Texas's Alamo Drafthouse programmer Zack Carlson blindly purchased a rare 35mm print from a reluctant eBay seller for $50. A small test screening of the film's first reel unveiled a relentless fury of ninjas, '80s rock, lawless bikers and brutal knife fights. The crowd lost their minds. The film has been called a "forgotten B-movie masterpiece" -- and based on our viewing, it is defintiely one of the better off-the-wall 'B' outings what with its non-acting actors and old-style martial arts fighting. A real treat for grindhouse film lovers. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital. Special limited edition VHS tapes (run of only 400) will also be available for those who want to view "Miami Connection" at home in it's 80s-era authentic glory. Both the VHS and digital are available from miamiconnection.org. Extras: "Friends for Eternity: The Making of Miami Connection," commentary with star-writer-producer-director Y.K. Kim and writer-star Joseph Diamand, deleted scenes, the 25th anniversary Dragon Sound reunion concert from Fantastic Fest 2012, trailer created by "Hobo With a Shotgun" director Jason Eisener, "Who Is Y.K. Kim?" promo video, "The New American Dream" promo video, theatrical trailers. (Drafthouse Films/Image Entertainment).
Check out the trailer:

Omnibus: James Agee's Mr. Lincoln and the Civil War Called "the most successful cultural magazine series and a prototype for educational television," "Omnibus" was the Golden Age of Television's most distinguished production, a multiple Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning series delivering sophistication, refinement, and sparkling intelligence to a national audience. Its eight groundbreaking seasons -- broadcast live and nationwide from 1952 to 1961 over 164 episodes -- of live, commercial-network broadcasts featured host Alastair Cooke and the most accomplished luminaries of the day, and garnered more than 13 million viewers per program and 65 awards. This historic two-DVD collection features the centerpiece of "Omnibus'" inaugural season: the ambitious five-part biographical drama of the 16th president by renowned author, screenwriter and film critic James Agree and starring Royal Dano and Joanne Woodward. Long considered one of the finest films about Lincoln ever made, this 1950s masterpiece is supplemented by three additional Civil War-themed Omnibus presentations: "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1955), an excerpt from the Harriet Beecher Stowe classic adapted by Ellen Violett; "The Four Flags of the Confederacy" (1955), a 14-minute historical feature by Arnold Sundgaard; and "Lee at Gettysberg" (1957), a three-act play by Alvin Sapinsley. Remastered from the original kinescope prints by Entertainment One and The Archive of American Television Presents. $34.98. Formats: DVD. (Entertainment One).

Pawn Shop (2012) Robert Spearman Jr., Garrett Morris, Joe Torry, Chandra Davis, Cool Aide, Mano Williams. A young man, stuck working for his overbearing father at a Detroit pawn shop, comes up with a plan to hustle stolen jewelry through the store in the hopes of saving up enough to strike out on his own, but ends up only causing grief for himself, his father and his friends. Formats: DVD. (Redd Media/MVD Entertainment).

The Portrait of a Lady BLU-RAY DEBUT (1996) Dir.: Jane Campion; Nicole Kidman, Barbara Hershey, John Malkovich, John Gielgud, Shelley Winters, Christian Bale, Viggo Mortensen, Mary-Louise Parker. Extras: "Portrait: Jane Campion and the Portrait of a Lady" documentary. (Shout! Factory).

The Qatsi Trilogy A singular artist and activist, Godfrey Reggio is best known for his galvanizing trio of films "The Qatsi Trilogy." Astonishingly photographed, and featuring unforgettable, cascading scores by Philip Glass, these are immersive sensory experiences that meditate on the havoc humankind's fascination with technology has wreaked on our world. From 1983's "Koyaanisqatsi" (the title is a Hopi word that means "life out of balance") to 1988's "Powaqqatsi" ("life in transformation") to 2002's "Naqoyqatsi" ("life as war"), Reggio takes us on an edifying journey from the ancient to the contemporary, from nature to industry and back again, all the while keeping our eyes wide with wonder. New, restored high-definition digital transfers of all three films, approved by director Godfrey Reggio, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks on the Blu-ray editions. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "Essence of Life," an interview program with Reggio and composer Philip Glass on Koyaanisqatsi; new interview with cinematographer Ron Fricke about "Koyaanisqatsi"; early 40-minute demo version of "Koyaanisqatsi" with a scratch soundtrack by Allen Ginsberg, along with a new introduction by Reggio; new interview with Reggio about "Koyaanisqatsi's" original visual concept, with behind-the-scenes footage; "Impact of Progress," an interview program with Reggio and Glass on their collaboration; "Inspiration and Ideas," an interview with Reggio about his greatest influences and teachers; "Anima Mundi" (1992), Reggio's 28-minute montage of images of over 70 animal species, scored by Glass; video afterword by Reggio on the trilogy; "The Making of Naqoyqatsi," a brief documentary featuring interviews with the production crew; panel discussion on "Naqoyqatsi" from 2003, with Reggio, Glass, editor Jon Kane, and music critic John Rockwell; "Music of Naqoyqatsi," an interview with Glass and cellist Yo-Yo Ma; television spots and an interview with Reggio relating to his 1970s multimedia privacy campaign in New Mexico; trailers; booklet featuring essays on the trilogy by film scholar Scott MacDonald, Rockwell, and author and environmentalist Bill McKibben. (The Criterion Collection).

Rehearsal for a Sicilian Tragedy (2009) Actor John Turturro takes audiences on a haunting, intimate journey to his maternal homeland of Sicily. There, while exploring the island's vanishing traditions, he is taken under the wing of one of the puppet theater's few remaining practitioners, Mimmo Cuticchio, who instructs him in the distinctively Sicilian art of puppetry. Filmed during preparations for the Sicilian Day of the Dead, this evocative, magical-realist documentary was directed by Turturro's longtime collaborator, Roman Paska, himself a world-renowned puppeteer. Both an homage to the art of storytelling and a portrait of a Sicily little known to the outside world, Paska's film brings viewers to an otherworldly place, lost in time. Formats: DVD. (First Run FSeatures).

The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2012) Filmmaker Mark Cousins covers 120 years of the world of cinema in 15 one-hour segments, filmed on four continents in over six years, and features interviews with legendary filmmakers and actors such as Gus Van Sant, Lars Von Trier, Kyoko Kagawa, Claire Denis, Robert Towne, and many more. The documentary covers famous moments in film -- the birth of Hollywood and the great movie genres, the evolution of movie stardom, the shock of the French "New Wave," the revolution of digital cinema, and much more. But it goes further and deeper in the history of cinema than any other recent celluloid survey, examining, amongst many things, Shanghai films of the 30s, the great Indian melodramas of the 50s and the triumph of African filmmakers of the 70s. It also touches and delves into social issues at various periods in the 20th Century including the role of women in cinema and the driving forces behind the industry. Formats: DVD, $69.95; VOD, Digital. Extras: Booklet. (Music Box Films).

Ted (2012) Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Joel McHale, Giovanni Ribisi, Patrick Warburton, Matt Walsh, Jessica Barth, Bill Smitrovich, Patrick Stewart, Norah Jones. Read more about "Ted" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Unrated version, Gag Reel, "Ted -- The Making Of" three-part documentary, commentary by director/co-writer Seth MacFarlane, co-writer Alec Sulkin and star Mark Wahlberg. Blu-ray adds deleted scenes, alternate takes, "Teddy Bear Scuffle" featurette on how the filmmakers choreographed the hilarious Motel 6 fight scene between Mark Wahlberg and Ted. (Universal).

Titanic: Birth of a Legend (2012) Dramatized documentary following the lives of the "Guarantee Group:" the nine men who designed and built Titanic and her sister ship Olympic, at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. This film, narrated by Charles Dance and featuring detailed CGI models, reveals the untold story of violence, determination and political drama behind the construction of the Titanic. Formats: DVD, $9.98. (Entertainment One).

Ultra Seven: The Complete Series Collector's Edition (1967-68) Six-disc set with all 49 episodes of the pop-culture sci-fi series, 49.97. Formats: DVD. Extras: A 24-page book with a detailed essay by August Ragone. (Shout! Factory).

Underbelly (2005) Based on actual events, "Underbelly" is a gripping, gritty and shocking portrayal of the violent, drug-fueled crime wave that rocked Australia from the 1970s through the early 2000s. The hit trilogy series comes to the U.S. for the first time in three sets: "Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities," "Underbelly: War on the Streets" and "Underbelly: The Golden Mile," $34.98 each. Formats: DVD. (Entertainment One).

Why Stop Now (2012) Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo, Tracy Morgan. When a college piano prodigy tries to check his mother into a drug rehab, he's taken "hostage" by her low-on-product drug dealer and swept along on a wild adventure to score more dope. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (IFC Films).

The Wild Geese (1978) Dir.: Andrew V. McLaglen; Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris, Hardy Kruger, Frank Finlay, Barry Foster, Stewart Granger. A team of aging mercenaries are hired by a wealthy industrialist for one final mission: Recruit and train a squad of desperate commandos, parachute into an unstable African nation, snatch its deposed President from a maximum security army prison, escape via the military-controlled airport, and massacre anyone who gets in their way. Re-mastered. Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Extras: "The Wild Geese Director" new interview with director Andrew V. MgLaghlen; "The Mercenary" new interview with military advisor Mike Hoare; "The Last of the Gentleman Producers" documentary on producer Euan Lloyd featuring Lloyd, Roger Moore, Joan Armatrading, Ingrid Pitt, others; commentary with producer Euan Lloyd, Moore, second unit director John Glen; "The Flight of the Wild Geese" vintage featurette, "The Wild Geese" Royal Charity premiere newsreel; trailer (Severin Films).

YERT -- Your Environmental Road Trip (2011) 50 States. One Year. Zero Garbage? Called to action by a planet in peril, three friends hit the road, traveling with hope, humor -- and all of their garbage -- to find out what Americans can do to save the planet. From outrageous green personalities like Missouri's Eco-Elvis and Florida's Earth Man, to a cave community in the mountains of Idaho, to incredible new ventures that transform garbage into almost anything, they scour the country bathing in America's unique approach to environmental sustainability -- the good, the bad, and the weird. Formats: DVD. Extras: Deleted scenes, YERT shorts, commentary, outtakes. (First Run Features).

Back to top

December 18

Bro' (2012) Beau Manley, Colin "Scummy" Morrison, Danny Trejo. When a college student gets wrapped up in the wild party lifestyle of professional motocross, he is pushed to the limits to gain acceptance. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with director Nick Parada and cast including the motocross group Metal Mulisha's Colin "Scummy" Morrison and original member Beau Manley; "How to Ride Moto-X with Metal Mulisha's Colin 'Scummy' Morrison," behind-the-scenes, Deleted Scenes. (Lionsgate).

Californication: The Fifth Season (2012) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $46.99. Formats: DVD. (Showtime/Paramount).

Cuban Missile Crisis: Three Men Go to War (2012) Reveals how three human beings -- President John F. Kennedy, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Cuban leader Fidel Castro -- grappled with the most dangerous two weeks in human history, when countless events outside their control threatened to ignite a nuclear holocaust that could have ended human civilization. On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy informed the world that the Soviet Union was building secret missile bases on the island of Cuba, 90 miles off the shores of Florida. The events of the next tension-filled 13 days, known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, struck fear across the globe as the world teetered on the edge of nuclear war. The fate of the planet ultimately lay in the hands of three powerful men: Khrushchev, Castro and Kennedy. Formats: DVD, $24.99. (PBS Distribution).

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris, Robert Capron, Connor Fielding, Owen Fielding. Read more about "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days " in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary by director David Bowers, deleted scenes, "Class Clown" animated short, Gag Reel. Blu-ray adds FX Movie Channel presents "Wimpy Empire." (Fox).

Forced to Fight (2012) Peter Weller, Gary Daniels. An ex-legend in the illicit underground fighting world is forced back into the arena to pay his brother's debts and to protect his family from a ruthless crime boss. Features an array of fighting styles, including wrestling, judo, jiu jitsu and all-out power punching. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. (Image Entertainment).

The Frozen (2012) Brit Morgan, Noah Segan, Seth David Mitchell. After a harrowing snowmobile accident, a young couple is stranded in the woods and must survive while waiting for help to arrive. When the young man disappears, the woman is left on her own not only to battle the elements, but elude a mysterious man who has been tracking her through the forest. Formats: DVD. (ARC Entertainment).

Funny or Die Presents: The Complete Second Season (2011) Two-disc set with 10 episodes, $29.98. Formats: DVD. (HBO).

Gandu (2010 -- India) Frantic, music-infused look at one poor young man and his dreams of becoming a rap star. An example of new Indian filmmaking that, ironically, is banned in India. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Artsploitation Films).


The Good Doctor (2012) Orlando Bloom, Riley Keough, Taraji P. Henson, Michael Pena. A young doctor goes to unconscionable extremes in order to remain in the service of a female patient with a kidney disorder. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Making of The Good Doctor featurette, AXS TV: "A Look at The Good Doctor." (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Hans Christian Andersen BLU-RAY DEBUT (1952) Dir.: Charles Vidor; Danny Kaye, Farley Granger. Packed with a 40-page Blu-ray book with production history, notes, bios, photos, trivia and more. (Warner).

House of Lies: The First Season (2012) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $46.99. Formats: DVD. Extras: Commentaries on select episodes, interviews with Kristen Bell and Don Cheadle, "Rainmaker" character profile of Cheadle's Mary Kaan. (Showtime/Paramount).

Liberal Arts (2012) Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Zac Efron, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, Elizabeth Reaser, Therese Raquin. When a 30-something college admissions adviser returns to his alma mater for a professor's retirement party, he falls for a 19-year-old college student, and is faced with a powerful dilemma: Does he pursue a perhaps inappropriate relationship with this kindred spirit, or does he break her heart and return to the "real world"? Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (IFC Films).

The Life & Times of Tim: The Complete Third Season (2011-12) Two-disc set with 10 episodes, $29.98. Formats: DVD. (HBO).

A Man Vanishes (1967 -- Japan) Shohei Imamura's film begins as an investigation into one of the thousands of missing persons cases that occur in Japan each year. Examining every aspect of the disappeared man's life, Imamura and his crew become increasingly focused on his fiancee, Yoshie, who is desperately searching for him. As the filmmakers become more involved in her life, the "investigation" begins to cast doubt over the couple's relationship, the man's work life, both of their families, and finally Imamura and the film itself. Packed in a four-disc set with five other Imamura films: "Karayuki-San, The Making of a Prostitute" (1975), "In Search of the Unreturned Soldiers in Malaysia" (1971), "Outlaw-Matsu Returns Home" (1973) and "The Pirates of Bubuan" (1972). Formats: DVD. Extras: Twelve-page booklet that features an original essay by Japanese film critic and theorist Tadao Sato. (Icarus Films).

The Millennium Bug (2011) John Charles Meyer, Jessica Simons, Christine Haeberman, Jon Briddell, Ken MacFarlane. When the Haskin family seeks refuge from Y2K hysteria in the isolated forests of the Sierra Diablos Mountains, the threat of technological shutdown is the least of their worries: Abducted by a vicious hillbilly clan, the family battles for their lives ... but neither they nor their captors can imagine the monstrous nightmare about to erupt from the bowels of the earth. Formats: DVD. (Green Apple Entertainment.).

Pitch Perfect (2012) Anna Kendric, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt. Read more about "Pitch Perfect" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital. Extras: Deleted and extended scenes, "Meanwhile ..." alternative scenes, "Line-O-Rama:" showcase of funny one-liners from the set, "Starships" music video, "Backstage at Barden" profiles and interviews with characters Benji and Bumper, "On the Set: Burrito Drive By!" behind-the-scenes footage with Fat Amy, "A Look Inside" first-look into the movie, commentary with director Jason Moore and producers Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman, commentary with producer Paul Brooks. (Universal).

Red Hook Summer (2012) Dir.: Spike Lee; Clarke Peters, Nate Parker, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Jules Brown, Toni Lysaith. A middle-class boy from Atlanta finds his worldview changed as he spends the summer with his deeply religious grandfather in the housing projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn. The latest in Spike Lee's Chronicles of Brooklyn, which also include "She's Gotta Have It," "Do the Right Thing," "Crooklyn," "Clockers" and "He Got Game." Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary with Spike Lee, behind-the-scenes featurette, music video. (One Village/Image Entertainment).

The Sarah Silverman Program Season Three (2010) Two-disc set includes the last 10 episodes of the Comedy Central show. Sarah and co-stars Laura Silverman, Brian Posehn, Steve Agee and Jay Johnston return for another season of loopy adventures in irresponsibility and rudeness: including made-up disabilities, creepy pedophile vans, wild ecstasy trips and shocking revelations about Sarah's lady parts. Formats: DVD, $19.93. Extras: Writers conversation, "Odds 'N' Ends," original pilot, audition videos, commentaries, more. (Shout! Factory).

Shameless: The Complete Second Season (2012) Three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.98. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Three featurettes, five "Shameless" actor discussions, deleted scenes. (Warner).

Sleepwalk With Me (2012) Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane, Cristin Milioti, Aya Cash. Read more about "Sleepwalk With Me" in the December Calendar. A burgeoning stand-up comedian struggles with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on Birbiglia's book and stage show. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (IFC Films).

Sometimes a Great Notion BLU-RAY DEBUT (1970) Dir.: Paul Newman; Paul Newman, Henry Fonda, Lee Remick, Michael Sarrazin, Richard Jaeckel, Linda Lawson, Cliff Potts, Sam Gilman. (Shout! Factory).

Total Recall (2012) Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, Bill Nighy, Ethan Hawke, Bokeem Woodbine. Read more about "Total Recall" in the December Calendar. Formats: Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, two-Disc Blu-ray, DVD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: The Blu-ray version includes an al-new Extended Director's Cut, which includes 20 minutes of footage not shown in theaters, featuring new story lines and an alternate ending, as well as commentary by director Len Wiseman. Disc 1 also comes with "Total Recall Insight Mode," allowing viewers to watch the film while engaging with scene-specific behind-the-scenes insights. The DVD contains the theatrical feature film, a gag reel, "Total Recall Insight Mode," "Science Fiction vs. Science Fact" featurette, "Designing the Fall" behind-the-scenes look at set production. The Blu-ray adds seven "Total Action" featurettes, "Stepping into Recall" pre-visualization sequences, "God of War: Ascension" PlayStation 3 game demo. Studio).

Trouble With the Curve (2012) Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, Matthew Lillard, John Goodman, Joe Massingill, Robert Patrick, Matt Bush, Ed Lauter. Read more about "Trouble With the Curve" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital Download, UltraViolet. Extras: "Trouble With the Curve: Rising Through the Ranks" featurette on the relationship between Eastwood and Rob Lorenz during the past 20 years, culminating in Lorenz' directorial debut; "Trouble With the Curve: For the Love of the Game" featurette. (Warner).

December 21

Arbitrage (2012) Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marlin, Laetitia Casta, Nate Parker. Read more about "Arbitrage" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with writer-director Nicholas Jarecki, "Who Is Robert Miller?" featurette, "A Glimpse Into Arbitrage" featurette, deleted scenes. (Lionsgate).

Killer Joe (2012) Dir.: William Friedkin; Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church, Gina Gershon, Scott A. Martin, Gralen Bryant Banks, Carol Sutton, Danny Epper, Jeff Galpin, Marc Macaulay, Gregory C. Bachaud. Read more about "Killer Joe" in the December Calendar. The Blu-ray Disc features the unrated director's cut of the film, while the DVD features an R-rated version. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary by director William Friedkin, "Southern Fried Hospitality: From Stage to Screen" featurette, director intro and cast Q&A from SXSW. (Lionsgate).

Premium Rush (2012) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez, Jamie Chung, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Shannon, Wole Parks, Heather Lindell, Aaron Tveit. Read more about "Premium Rush" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet. Extras: Two featurettes: "The Starting Line -- Meet The Cast" and "Behind The Wheels" featurette on the action, stunts and chases. (Sony).

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, Oded Fehr, Boris Kodjoe, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Li Bing Bing. Read more about "Resident Evil: Retribution" in the December Calendar. Formats: Two-Disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray, DVD, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Director and Cast commentary, director and producer commentary, "Drop (Un)Dead: The Creatures of Retribution" featurette, outtakes. Blu-ray adds deleted and extended scenes; six more featurettes: "Maestro of Evil: Directing Resident Evil: Retribution," "Evolving Alice," "Resident Evil: Reunion," "Design & Build: The World of Resident Evil: Retribution," "Resident Stuntman" and "Code: Mika"; "Project Alice: The Interactive Database," (Sony).

Tosh.0: Deep V's (2012) Three-disc set with 16 episodes, $19.99. Includes the first "What, What in the Butt" web remix, a trip with the Double Rainbow Guy and "Web Redemptions" for the awful weatherman, the angry black preacher, the "I Like Turtles Kid" and more. Extras: Extended "Web Redemption" interviews, an extended "If Daniel Fought Celebrities" segment and the uncut 24-minute "Human Centipede" spoiler. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (Comedy Central/Paramount).

December 24

The Words (2012) Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Ben Barnes, John Hannah, Michael McKean, Ron Rifkin.Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UltraViolet (cloud). Read more about "The Words" in the December Calendar. Extras: Extended special edition with an alternate ending, "Unabridged: A Look Behind the Scenes of The Words" featurette, "A Gentleman's Agreement" production featurette. Blu-ray adds "Clay and Daniella" character featurette, "The Young Man and Celia" character featurette. (Sony).

December 25

Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution: Season 2 (2012) Includes extended episodes featuring all-new material, "Hey It's Fluffy" animated shorts, outtakes from 12 of the funniest comedians today: Ian Bagg, Tony Baker, Dov Davidoff, Pablo Francisco, Dillon Garcia, Nick Guerra, Trevor Noah, Thai Rivera, Alfred Robles, Wil Sylvince, Gina Yashere and Dustin Ybarra. Formats: DVD. (Comedy Central/Paramount Home Entertainment).

Gregg Allman -- I'm No Angel: Live On Stage (2012) Features a full length concert from Gregg Allman -- who came to prominence with his brother Duane as The Allman Brothers Band in the early 1970s -- and his solo band in Nashville in November 1988. Among the songs featured are Billboard chart hit single "I'm No Angel" and a version of Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues." Formats: DVD.(Cherry Red/MVD Visual).

Morning (2012) Andrew Ramaglia, Emily Cline, Wally Dalton. A young Seattle married couple descends into alcoholism and infidelity following the accidental death of their child. Formats: DVD. (Vanguard Cinema).

Something Better Somewhere Else (2012) David Pasquesi, John Connolly, Christian Stolte. A collective tale of yearning and restlessness told through four distinct but thematically linked stories: A bride comes on to a priest in a motel room; a bouquet of flowers from a stranger takes on a life of its own; a man's last day at the office proves to be the longest day of all; it's family moving day, but no one's moving. Formats: DVD. (Vanguard Cinema).

Back to top

December 26

Cinderella (2012) Cinderella trades glass slippers for a pair of cowboy boots in this reimagining of the classic fairy tale that casts Cinderella as a charismatic and tough cowgirl living in the Wild West. Family animated adventure. Formats: DVD. (Anchor Bay).

Back to top

December 31

Justified: The Complete Third Season (2012) Three-disc set with 13 episodes. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Deleted scenes, outtakes, cast and crew commentary on nine episodes, three featurettes that focus on the making of Season 3, the stunts and a tour of Nobles Holler. Blu-ray adds an interview with stars Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins. (Sony).

Looper (2012) Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, Jeff Daniels. Read more about "Looper" in the December Calendar. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with director Rian Johnson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt; two featurettes: "Looper: From the Beginning" and "Scoring Looper"; five deleted scenes; "Looper" animated trailer. Blu-ray adds "The Science of Time Travel" featurette; 17 additional deleted scenes. (Sony).

Back to top

All listings are based on information from the home video studios. Some release dates may change and titles may come out after a specified date (with no announcement from the studio). Additionally, some titles may be released with little or no advance announcement. And since all DVDs are priced at sell-through and are available for substantial discounts at both online and brick-and-mortar stores, we only list suggested retail prices for some special editions, box sets and collections.

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.

E-mail OnVideo

| Home | Resources | DVD Releases | Calendar |
| Reviews | Links |

E-mail: mail@onvideo.org
© 1996 -- 2012 OnVideo. All rights reserved
November 29, 2012
(ISSN 1094-3676).