From the Big Screen:

Belfast

(2021) A poignant story of love, laughter and loss in one boy’s childhood amid the music and social tumult of the late 1960s. Buddy’s family lives in a largely Protestant district with a few Catholic families, but one day his community and everything he thought he understood about life is suddenly turned upside down. Buddy’s family gets caught in the mayhem and must decide to stay or leave the only place they have ever called home. Through it all, his passionate parents and quick-witted grandparents keep the joy alive through music and the magic of movies in this feel-good story that reminds us that no matter how far you go, you never forget where you came from. Vitals: Director: Kenneth Branagh. Stars: Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Jude Hill, Colin Morgan. 2021, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 98 min., Drama, US box office gross: $7.243 million, worldwide $15.754 million, Universal. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray + Digital Code, VOD, Digital. Extras: Alternate ending; deleted scenes; “A City of Stories: The Making of Belfast”; “Everyone’s Inner Child”: Kenneth Branagh, Jamie Dornan, Caitríona Balfe, Ciarán Hinds, and Judi Dench reminisce about their childhoods; feature commentary with writer-director Kenneth Branagh. Read more here

Buzzin’ the ‘B’s:

After leaving a life of crime and violence, Ray is a reformed good guy, enjoying a quiet family life in the ‘burbs in “Run & Gun” (2021), starring Ben Milliken, Brad William Henke, Janel Parrish, Mark Dacascos and Celestino Cornielle. But when his past is discovered, Ray is blackmailed into one last job to collect a mysterious package. After a deadly double-cross, he finds himself wounded and on the run from ruthless assassins who will stop at nothing to get what he has. Now, with the lives of his loved ones hanging in the balance and danger at every turn, Ray’s only hope is to draw upon his violent past to survive. From Paramount. Read more here … In “Demonic” (2021), directed by Neill Blomkamp (“District 9”) and starring Carly Pope, Chris William Martin, Michael Rogers and Nathalie Boltt, a young woman unleashes terrifying demons when supernatural forces at the root of a decades old rift between mother and daughter are revealed. On DVD, Blu-ray, from RLJE Films.

Foreign Films:

“The Pilot” (2021 — Russia), starring Pyotr Fyodorov, Anna Peskova, Pavel Osadchy, Maksim Emelyanov and Nikoloz Paikridze, is based on the true story of Aleksey Maresyev, a World War II pilot whose fighter plane was shot down over the German-occupied Novgorod Region. in 1941, a Russian WWII pilot crash-lands deep in enemy territory. Seriously injured, he must battle hunger, extreme cold, and wild animals—all while evading Nazi soldiers—if he is ever to make it home alive. On DVD, Blu-ray, from Well Go USA. Please read this disclaimer.

From TV to Disc:

“American Gods: Seasons 1–3: The Complete Series” (2017-21) is a nine-disc set with all 26 episodes. Set in a hidden world where magic is real and gods exist on earth, “American Gods” chronicles the brewing war between Old Gods and New Gods, as the traditional gods of mythology are steadily losing believers to a burgeoning pantheon of modern gods focused on technology and money. From Lionsgate … “Highway to Heaven” (2021), starring Jill Scott, Barry Watson and Ben Daon, is a new original movie reboot inspired by Michael Landon’s iconic ’80s television drama. Follows Angela Stewart, an angel sent back to Earth in order to help people in need. The story finds a junior high student struggling with the tragic loss of his mother as he and his dad drift apart. Angela takes a temporary job as a school counselor working alongside principal Bruce Banks to bring the broken family back together, and help them find the light in each other’s darkness. From Lionsgate.

All DVDs and Blu-rays are screened on a reference system consisting of an 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.