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Blu-ray Releases
OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane
(2006) Amber Heard, Anson Mount, Whitney Able, Michael Welch. Part slasher, part coming-of-age film about Mandy Lane, an untouchable Texas high-school beauty who is invited by her classmates to a weekend getaway at a secluded ranch. But as the sun goes down and the party rages on, the festivities take a disturbing turn. And for lovely Mandy Lane, a night of endless horror has just begun. Jonathan Levine's ("Warm Bodies," "50/50") directorial debut.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary with director Jonathan Levine. (Anchor Bay).
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy -- The "Rich Mahogany" Edition Blu-ray
(2004) Will Ferrell, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate, Fred Willard. Two-disc set with three versions of the film -- the theatrical version, an unrated version and "Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie" -- just in time for the theatrical release of "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" on December 20. Extras: Commentary with Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, Lou Rawls, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and Christina Applegate; deleted and extended scenes; bloopers; "Afternoon Delight" music video; ESPN Sports Center Audition -- Ron Burgundy; public service announcements: award speech; raw footage "Good Takes"; "Afternoon Delight" recording session; Happy Birthday AMC Loews; interviews: Rebecca Romijn, Jim Caviezel, Burt Reynolds; Cinemax" The Making of Ron Burgundy"; "Reel Comedy: Anchorman"; "A Conversation With Ron Burgundy"; cast auditions; table read; rehearsals; playback video; commercial break; trailers. (Paramount).
Angry Birds Toons: Season One -- Volume One
(2013) Twenty-six episodes of the animated TV series that brings to life the adventures of the characters from the mobile phone game app. The "Angry Birds" franchise is now a $2 billion a year operation. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "Meet the Characters" and "Meet the Flock" pods, redemption code for an "Angry Birds" Windows PC game, three behind-the-scenes featurettes, character art gallery, special holiday episode: "Wreck the Halls." (Sony).
The Black Swan BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1942) Dir.: Henry King; Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara. (Fox).
Bronies: The Extremely Unexpected Adult Fans of My Little Pony
(2013) One would be hard-pressed to find a cultural sensation as unique and as unexpected as Bronies, a group of mostly young adult men who are dedicated fans of the animated series created for little girls, "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic." This documentary chronicles Bronies from around the world, each with their unique story, as they make their way to My Little Pony
Bruce Weber: The Film Collection
(2013) Brings together the most celebrated documentaries by the internationally praised photographer and filmmaker (who became famous for his B&W ads for Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, and his work in Vogue, CQ and Vanity fair, and, more recently, known for his videos for Chris Isaak and the Pet Shop Boys). This collector's set includes Weber's famous "Let's Get Lost" (1988) documentary on jazz great Chet Baker (see below), "Broken Noses" (1987) (about a youth boxing club near Portland, Oregon), "Chop Suey" (2001) (an homage to Weber's favorite things, including photography and classic movies) and "A Letter to True" (2004), which centers on his dogs, a family of gorgeous golden retrievers. This box set gives art enthusiasts a look back at one of photography's greatest talents. Includes a 32-page booklet of Weber's photographs. Formats: DVD. (Docurama).
The Call of the Wild BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1935) Dir.: William A. Wellman; Clark Gable, Loretta Young, Jack Oakie, Reginald Owen. (Fox).
Carmen Jones BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1954)) Dir.: Otto Preminger; Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Olga James, Joe Adams, Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll. (Fox).
A Christmas Tree Miracle
(2013) Kevin Sizemore, Claudia Esposito, Terry Kiser, Jill Whelan, Barrett Carnahan, Emily Capehart, Siomha Kenney. A privileged suburban family loses everything just before Christmas and is taken in by an eccentric Christmas tree farmer, where they learn that miracles can come true ... if you believe. Formats: DVD, VOD. (Green Apple Entertainment).
Duck Dynasty: Seasons 1-3 Collector's Set
(2012-13) All three seasons of America's favorite backwoods family, packed with an exclusive limited edition Duck Camo bandana. Formats: Eight-disc DVD, $49.98; six-disc Blu-ray, $49.99. Extras: Never-before-seen material including a revealing conversation with the Robertson family. (Lionsgate).
Far From Vietnam
(1967) Initiated and edited by Chris Marker, this is an epic 1967 collaboration between cinema greats Jean-Luc Godard, Joris Ivens, William Klein, Claude Lelouch and Alain Resnais in protest of American military involvement in Vietnam. The film brings together an array of contributions, none individually credited, under a unified editorial vision. The elements span documentary footage shot in North and South Vietnam and at anti-war demonstrations in the United States; a fictional vignette and a monologue that dramatize the self-interrogation of European intellectuals; interviews with Fidel Castro and Anne Morrison, widow of Norman Morrison, the Quaker pacifist who burned himself alive on the steps of the White House in 1965; reflections from French journalist Michele Ray; and a range of repurposed media material. Passionately critical and self-critical, it's a milestone in political documentary and in world cinema. Formats: DVD, VOD. Extras: "The Sixth Side of the Pentagon" (Chris Marker & Francois Reichenbach, 1967), original theatrical trailer. (Icarus Films).
Galactic Adventures: 3D Sun/Mars 3D
(2013) From Earth, the Sun can't be looked at with human eye. Narrated by Al Roker, "3D Sun" gives audiences a chance to see the Sun up close in startling 3D. "Mars 3D" takes viewers behind the scenes of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission revealing daily dramas, mind-boggling physics and compelling science behind the $820 million dollar NASA project. Formats: Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1947) Dir.: Joseph L. Mankiewicz; Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, Natalie Wood, George Sanders. (Fox).
Hawaii Five-O: The Complete Series
(1968-1980) Seventy-three disc set features all 12 seasons, including the debut of the remastered 10h season, in a sleek, collectible package featuring cast photos and spectacular images of Hawaii's stunning landscape. Filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, the show followed
Hot in Cleveland: Season Four
(2012-13) Four-disc set with 23 episodes, $29.99. Extras: "Look Who's Hot Now." (Paramount).
Il Futuro (The Future)
(2013 -- Italy) Luigi Ciardo, Manuela Martelli, Rutger Hauer, Nicolas Vaporidis. Two orphans, Bianca and Tomas, and their friends concoct an elaborate scheme to rob an aging movie star and one-time Mr. Universe, Maciste (Rutger Hauer). Bianca is enlisted to seduce the now blind star so they can get access to his hidden fortune. At once a sly psychological thriller with erotic overtones, this Hitchcockian film finds a young woman faced with a moral dilemma as a unique friendship develops between her and the actor in his crumbling mansion. Formats: DVD. (Strand Releasing).
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
(1970) The provocative Italian filmmaker Elio Petri's most internationally acclaimed work is this remarkable, visceral, Oscar-winning thriller. Petri maintains a tricky balance between absurdity and realism in telling the Kafkaesque tale of a Roman police inspector (Gian Maria Volonte, in a commanding performance) investigating a heinous crime -- which he committed himself. Both a penetrating character study and a disturbing commentary on the draconian crackdowns by the Italian government in the late 1960s and early 70s,this kinetic portrait of surreal bureaucracy is a perversely pleasurable rendering of controlled chaos. New 4K digital restoration by the Film Foundation, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray.
Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: Archival interview with director Elio Petri, conducted by critic and filmmaker Alexandre Astruc; "Elio Petri: Notes About a Filmmaker" (2005), a 90-minute documentary on the director's career, featuring interviews with friends, collaborators, and filmmakers; new interview with film scholar Camilla Zamboni; "Investigation of a Citizen Named Volonte" (2008), a 50-minute documentary about actor Gian Maria Volonte; "Music in His Blood," an interview with composer Ennio Morricone from 2010, conducted by film critic Fabio Ferzetti; trailers; booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Evan Calder Williams and excerpts from a 2001 book by author and screenwriter Ugo Pirro. (The Criterion Collection).
Jesse James BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1939) Dir.: Henry King, Irving Cummings; Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda, Nancy Kelly, Randolph Scott, Henry Hull. (Fox).
Let's Get Lost
(1988) Traveling with the elusive jazz vocalist and trumpeter Chet Baker, Bruce Weber weaves together the life story of the jazz great. The film uses excerpts from Italian B movies, rare performance footage and candid interviews with Baker, musicians, friends, ex-wives and his children in what turns out to be the last year of his life. The movie is bookended with two romps on the beach: Baker in Santa Monica in early 1987 and then later in Cannes. Interspersed are interviews with friends, family and lovers; rare photographs; vintage clips; and performances by Baker. Baker (who was visually a cross between James Dean and Jack Kerouac) burst on the jazz scene in the early 1950s as a self-taught, amazingly accomplished trumpet-player and singer. He was summoned to play with Charlie Parker in L.A. in 1951, went on to join with Gerry Mulligan in his famous quartet, played with Stan Getz, Shelly Manne and Art Pepper, and cut a host of well-received albums, including "Gerry Mulligan Quartet Featuring Chet Baker" (1952), "Chet Baker Sings" (1954), "Chet" (1959) to name just a very few. Baker, unfortunately, began using heroin and was an unapologetic addict for the rest of his life -- it was a habit that took its toll on his health and career (for a while he had to star in Italian B movies to earn cash). In the mid-60s to 70s his career faltered, with numerous bouts with the law, but he later resumed recording and performing. From 1978 until his death he lived in Europe; the later decade of his life saw a more mature, capable musician (Baker died May 13, 1988; he apparently fell to the street from an open window in his second-story hotel room in Amsterdam; an autopsy showed drugs -- heroin and cocaine -- in his body). This gorgeous documentary captures the flavor, contradictions, happiness and sadness of the musician's music and life. Not to be missed. Includes a 40-page Chet Baker fan book created by Weber that includes Weber's photography of Baker as well as images by renowned jazz photographer William Claxton. Formats: DVD. (Docurama).
Marvel's Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United!
(2013) The first full-length, direct-to-video CG animated feature from Marvel Animation Studios. In this action-packed adventure, the invincible Iron Man and the incredible Hulk come together to save the Earth from its greatest threat yet. When two HYDRA scientists try to supercharge a Stark Arc Reactor with Hulk's Gamma Energy, they unleash a being of pure electricity called the Zzzax -- and he's hungry for destruction. Together, Iron Man and Hulk are the only force that stands in the way of the Zzzax's planetary blackout. Formats: DVD, DVD/Blu-ray Combo, Digital. (Disney).
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
(2013) Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Lena Headey, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kevin Zegers, CCH Pounder, Jared Harris. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Bringing Them to Life" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Descendants of the Cup" featurette on the stunts and the cast's transformation into Shadowhunters, "Almost is Never Enough" music video by Ariana Grande, deleted scenes. Blu-ray adds "Interactive Lineage Tracker," "Deadly Attraction" behind-the-scenes featurette with Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower on their roles as Clary Fray and Jace Wayland, "Entering the Shadow World" creatures featurette, "Into the Shadows: From Book to Screen." (Sony).
Nashville
(1975) This cornerstone of 1970s American moviemaking from Robert Altman is a panoramic view of the country's political and entertainment landscapes, set in the nation's music capital. "Nashville" weaves together the stories of 24 characters -- from country music star to wannabe to reporter to waitress -- into a cinematic tapestry that is equal parts comedy, tragedy, and musical. Many members of the astonishing cast wrote and performed their own songs live on location, which lends another layer to the film's quirky authenticity. Altman's ability to get to the heart of American life via its eccentric byways was never put to better use than in this grand, rollicking triumph, which barrels forward to an unforgettable conclusion. New 2K digital film restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray.
Formats: Blu-ray/DVD Dual Format Edition. Extras: Audio commentary featuring Altman; new documentary on the making of the film, featuring interviews with actors Keith Carradine, Michael Murphy, Allan Nicholls and Lily Tomlin, assistant director Alan Rudolph, and screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury; archival interviews with Altman; behind-the-scenes footage; demos of Carradine singing his songs from the film; trailer; booklet featuring an essay by critic Molly Haskell. (The Criterion Collection).
The Perfect Wedding
(2012) Eric Aragon, Jason T. Gaffney. Paul, a charismatic recovering alcoholic, falls head over heels for Gavin during the Christmas holidays. Surrounded by a swirl of family drama and a complicated ex-boyfriend, he's living one day at a time -- and beginning to plan the perfect wedding. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, interviews with the cast and crew. (Wolfe Video).
The Rutles: Anthology BLU-RAY DEBUT
The Simpsons Season 16
(2004-05) Twenty-one episodes. Formats: Four-disc DVD, $49.98; three-disc Blu-ray, $59.99. Extras: Animation Showcase -- "Future-Drama ACT 1," commentaries on all episodes; bonus episodes: "Holidays of Future Passed," "Bart to the Future" (Season 11) (Blu-ray exclusive), "Lisa's Wedding" (Season 6) (Blu-ray exclusive); deleted scenes; deleted scenes gallery with commentary; Easter Eggs; "Greetings, Junior Scienteers!" featurette; "Live! It's The Simpsons"; "Living in the Moment"; sketch galleries; special language feature: "Pranksta Rap." (Fox).
The Smurfs 2
(2013) Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Brendan Gleeson, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, George Lopez and the voices of Katy Perry, J.B. Smoove, Christina Ricci, Anton Yelchin, John Oliver.
Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Deleted scenes, two featurettes: "Daddy's Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette" and "Animating Azrael." Blu-ray adds "The Puurrfect Companion: Azreal's Tail" featurette, "Evolution of the Naughties" featurette, "The Naughties! The Tale of Hackus and Vexy" featurette, Smurfs mini-movie"The Legend of Smurfy Hollow." (Sony).
Stone Roses: Made of Stone
(2013) In 2012, a resurrection no one thought possible took place when legendary band The Stone Roses reformed after 16 years. With unprecedented access to previously unseen archive footage, this documentary is a revealing journey through the life of one of the most revered and influential bands in British music history. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray. (MVD Visual).
Terms of Endearment BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1983) Dir.: James L. Brooks; Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, John Lithgow. (Warner).
Thomas & Friends: The Thomas Way
(2013) Join Thomas and Friends for five all-new, exciting adventures with the trains of the Isle of Sodor: "The Thomas Way," "The Switch," "Percy's Lucky Day," "Calm Down Caitlin" and "The Lost Puff." Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. Extras: Bonus episode "Luke's New friend," "Lift & Load" crane game, "Guess Who?" puzzles. $14.98. (Lionsgate).
Tracie Long Focus Series
(2013) For many, the upcoming holidays means non-stop schedules, loads of food and zero workout time. Nationally known certified trainer Tracie Long (of The Firm) offers three fitness programs -- "Lift Higher," "Kickback" and "Power Up" -- to help women of all ages to gain flexibility, strength and have more energy to get through even the most hectic holiday schedule. $9.98 each. Formats: DVD. (Shelter Island).
Trail of Blood
(2011) Robert Picardo, Trevor Torseth, Tim Barraco. On a weekend camping trip deep in the forest, a young U.S. Marine enlistee and his friends stumble upon the murdered bodies of a vacationing couple and are suddenly taken hostage by a deeply disturbed war veteran on a sadistic killing spree. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with directors Joseph and Justin Guerrieri. (Lionsgate).
Undefeated BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1969) Dir.: Andrew V. McLaglen; John Wayne, Rock Hudson, Lee Meriwether. (Fox).
US Festival 1983: Days 1-3
(2013) The ultimate concert took place on Memorial Day Weekend 1983. Curated by Steve Wozniak
Wings of a Warrior: The Jimmy Doolittle Story
(2013) New documentary -- with rare archival footage -- on Jimmy Doolittle, legendary flying pioneer, American hero and one of the most decorated airmen in U.S. military history. To date, Doolittle is the only person in the U.S. to receive both the country's highest awards -- Medal of Freedom and Medal of Honor.
Formats: DVD, $14.98. Extras: Interview with director Gardner Doolittle. (Shelter Island).
Winnie Mandela
(2011) Jennifer Hudson, Terrence Howard, Elias Koteas. Follows the story of a proud young woman, Winnie (Hudson), who finds love with a rising political star, Nelson Mandela (Howard), after moving from a remote tribal village to the sprawling metropolis of Johannesburg, South Africa. When Nelson is imprisoned for protesting the brutal Apartheid government, Winnie works tirelessly to win his freedom and to carry on his message of peace and equality. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (One Village Entertainment).
The Wolverine
(2013) Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Rila Fukushima, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Hal Yamanouchi, Famke Janssen. Formats: Four-disc "Unleashed Extended Edition" 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD Combo, two-disc Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Inspiration -- A Ronin's Journey." Blu-ray adds alternate ending, "X-Men: Days of Future Past" set tour, "The Path of the Ronin" immersive feature following the journey of a hero without a past, "Sync With Wolverine Second Screen App" for an interactive "Second Screen" experience, theatrical trailers. Unleashed Extended Edition includes extended, unrated cut (with an additional 30 minutes) and commentary by director James Mangold. (Fox).
Zatch Bell: The Complete Seasons 1&2
(2005-07) Every thousand years, mamodo descend upon earth to conduct the ultimate battle. The winning mamodo becomes the king of the mamodo world ... but in order for the many mamodo to use their powerful spell books, they need a human partner. This Japanese crossover anime follows 14-year-old Kiyo and a mamodo child named Zatch as they defend themselves against the ambush of mamodo-king wannabees. Formats: 12-disc DVD with 100 episodes, $99.95. (New Video Group).
The Wolverine
Summoned by an old acquaintance to modern day Japan, Wolverine finds himself out of his depth in an unknown world -- a Japan he hasn't seen since World War II, filled with Yakuza gangsters, ninjas, mutants and a brand new class of villains -- where he faces his ultimate nemesis -- the Silver Samurai -- in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed.
Extras: "Inspiration -- A Ronin's Journey." Blu-ray adds alternate ending, "X-Men: Days of Future Past" set tour, "The Path of the Ronin" immersive feature following the journey of a hero without a past, "Sync With Wolverine Second Screen App" for an interactive "Second Screen" experience, theatrical trailers. Unleashed Extended Edition includes extended, unrated cut (with an additional 30 minutes) and commentary by director James Mangold. Vitals: Director: James Mangold. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Rila Fukushima, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Hal Yamanouchi, Famke Janssen.
2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 126 min., Action, Box office gross: $131.304 million, Fox.
Unavailable for review.
The Smurfs 2
A modern hybrid live action/animated equivalent of "The Three Stooges" meet "The Little Rascals" but without any of the intelligence and irony those series exhibited. In this sequel, the Smurfs must travel to Paris to rescue Smurfette from the clutches of the Naughties. The film has the benefit of preparing today's kids for the more elaborate cross-merchandising of comic book heroes and films when they become adults. Extras: Deleted scenes, two featurettes: "Daddy's Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette" and "Animating Azrael." Blu-ray adds "The Puurrfect Companion: Azreal's Tail" featuetter, "Evolution of the Naughties" featurette, "The Naughties! The Tale of Hackus and Vexy" featurette, Smurfs mini-movie"The Legend of Smurfy Hollow."
Vitals: Director: Raja Gosnell. Stars: Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Brendan Gleeson, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, George Lopez and the voices of Katy Perry, J.B. Smoove, Christina Ricci, Anton Yelchin, John Oliver.
2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 105 min., Family, Box office gross: $69.583 million, Sony.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
A lackluster fantasy adventure with something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue -- from every similar franchise that came before it. This forgettable outing follows a young girl who one day discovers she's descended from a long line of demon-slayers and must travel to an alternate New York to fight the evil forces. Based on the best-selling book series by Cassandra Clare.
Extras: "Bringing Them to Life" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Descendants of the Cup" featurette on the stunts and the cast's transformation into Shadowhunters, "Almost Is Never Enough" music video by Ariana Grande, deleted scenes. Blu-ray adds "Interactive Lineage Tracker," "Deadly Attraction" behind-the-scenes featurette with Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower on their roles as Clary Fray and Jace Wayland, "Entering the Shadow World" creatures featurette, "Into the Shadows: From Book to Screen."
Vitals: Director: Harald Zwart. Stars: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Lena Headey, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kevin Zegers, CCH Pounder, Jared Harris.
2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 130 min., Fantasy Adventure, Box office gross: $31.046 million, Sony.
Argo The Declassified Extended Edition Blu-ray
(2012) Includes additional nine minutes of footage, new extras and collectible memorabilia: "Argo" one-sheet poster, map of Tehran, reproduction of Tony Mendez's CIA ID card, 40-page book premium featuring behind the scenes photos, production notes, bios and more. Formats: Blu-ray Disc, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: New features: "Argo Declassified": Tony Mendez's daring operation gets honored as part of the CIA's 50th anniversary; "Ben Affleck's Balancing Act" of humor, politics, Hollywood and international intrigue; "Argo F*ck Yourself," in which Ben Affleck leads an all-star review of "Argo's" classic line. Additional special features: "Rescued from Tehran: We Were There" featurette; "Picture in Picture: Eye Witness Account" recounts the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in November of 1979 and the daring rescue mission in January of 1980 through the eyes of those who lived it; commentary with director Ben Affleck; "Argo: Absolute Authenticity"; "Argo: The CIA & Hollywood Connection"; "Escape From Iran: The Hollywood Option"; "Argo Files": "A Discussion With the Cast," "Tony Mendez on Tony Mendez," "The Istanbul Journey" location featurette. $49.99. (Warner).
Black Lips - Kids Like You & Me
(2013) In 2009, the band The Black Lips started investigating the possibility of a bridge-building tour of the Middle East with stops throughout the region. After two years of planning, several uprisings and a civil war, the tour finally came to fruition in the fall of 2012. This film documenta their journey through the region with Lebanese indie rockers Lazzy Lung.
Formats: DVD. (MVD Visual).
conventions in Germany, England, and the biggest of all, BronyCon in the U.S. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo. (MVD Visual).
Buying Sex
(2013) Documentary looks at the red-hot debate over the legalization of prostitution. Would decriminalizing prostitution free sex workers to take more control over their activities, run legal brothels and manage their own procurement businesses without fear of punishment, or would it give male buyers and sex-trade business owners even more power and opportunity to benefit from and possibly exploit the sale of sexual services? This Canadian film brings sex workers, formerly prostituted women, policy-makers, lawyers and even the male buyers of sex to the debate, challenging viewers to question whether prostitution is the oldest profession or the oldest oppression. Formats: DVD. (First Run Features).
Casting Me ...
(2011 -- South Africa) Paul Snodgrass, Roxanne Prentice, Jonathan Hearns, Raph Kosse, Colin Moss, Simone Cagnazzo. To get his life on track again and win back his girlfriend, a frustrated but likeable casting director decides to make a film about his job, love-life and all the funny things that happen behind the scenes at the casting agency. Formats: DVD. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Quinton Lavery, actors Paul Snodgrass and Raph Kossew and cinematographer Darren Wertheim; making-of-featurettes: "Day in the Life of a Director" and "Day in the Life of a Cinematographer"; pre-production diaries; teasers and trailer. (IndiePix Films).
Drinking Buddies
(2013) Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston. Comedy about a pair of co-workers at a Chicago brewery who spend their days drinking and flirting. They're perfect for each other, except that they're both in relationships with others ... until beer blurs the line between "friends" and "more than friends." Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD. Extras: "Making of Drinking Buddies," deleted scenes, AXS TV: "A Look at Drinking Buddies," theatrical trailer. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Good Ol' Freda
(2013) Fascinating documentary about The Beatles' longtime secretary and friend offers an insider's perspective as The Beatles made music and cultural history. Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big. Though she had no concept of how far they would go, Freda had faith in The Beatles from the beginning, and The Beatles had faith in her. Many people came in and out of the band's circle as they grew to international stardom, but Freda remained a staple because of her unfaltering loyalty and dedication. As The Beatles' devoted secretary and friend, Freda was there as history unfolded; she was witness to the evolution -- advances and setbacks, breakthroughs and challenges -- of the greatest band in history. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD. Extras: Extended footage, deleted interviews, AXS TV: "A Look At Good Ol' Freda." (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Detective Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord), head of an elite state police unit investigating "organized crime, murder, assassination attempts, foreign agents, felonies of every type." James MacArthur played his second-in-command, Danny ("Danno") Williams, with local actors playing members of the Five-O team. Formats: DVD, $349.99. Extras: Behind-the-scenes documentary, "Hawaii Now: Hawaii Five-O" Vintage documentary, which originally aired on PBS in Hawaii in 1971 (the archival footage includes an interview with Lord; in addition, executive producer Leonard Freeman, supervising producer Robert Sweeney, location producer William Finnegan and director Paul Stanley provide the inside scoop on the process of filming each episode from set design and wardrobe to casting Lord in the role of McGarrett); "Hawaii Five-O" syndication sales reel; Lord's 1969 appearance on "The Mike Douglas Show." (CBS/Paramount).
Inch'Allah
(2013 -- Canada) Evelyne Brochu, Sabrina Ouazani, Sivan Levy, Yousef "Joe" Sweid. Chloe is a young Canadian doctor who divides her time between Ramallah, where she works with the Red Crescent, and Jerusalem, where she lives next door to her friend, a young Israeli soldier. Increasingly sensitive to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, Chloe makes the daily journey through the checkpoint between the two cities to the refugee camp where she works at a maternity clinic. Caught in the crossfire of the conflict, Chloe tries as best she can to build bridges between her friends, only to find herself a perpetual foreigner to all. Formats: DVD. Extras: Deleted scenes, "Nous Sommes" short film by Kevin Papatie. (Entertainment One).
Lilyhammer: Season 1
(2011) Norwegian television series heretofore only available on Netflix. Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano (Steven Van Zandt), a former underboss of New York's Italian Mafia, is put in the witness protection program after testifying in a trial in the United States. Tagliano requests that he be relocated in Lillehammer, Norway, intrigued by the town when he saw television images of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Using his old ruthless methods, Tagliano starts to take over Lillihammer's criminal underworld as the local police grow suspicious. Two-disc set with eight episodes. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo. (New Video Group).
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman: The Complete Series
(1976-78) Thirty-eight-disc box set with all 325 episodes of the cult series that starred Louise Lasser in the title role of legendary TV producer Norman Lear's sublimely twisted soap opera -- at once a parody of the format and a twisted satire of America's media/consumer culture. In the fictional town of Fernwood, Ohio, suburban housewife Mary Hartman seeks the kind of domestic perfection promised by Reader's Digest and TV commercials. Instead she finds herself suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune -- mass murders, low-flying airplanes and waxy yellow buildup on her kitchen floor. Co-starred Greg Mullavey, Mary Kay Place, Graham Jarvis, Debralee Scott, Victor Kilian, Dody Goodman, Philip Bruns, Dabney Coleman, Martin Mull and Claudia Lamb. Formats: DVD, $249.95. Extras: "Inside the Funhouse Mirror" featurette in which Norman Lear, Louise Lasser and Mary Kay Place talk about the making of "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman"; "On the Verge of ..." featurette in which Lear and Lasser remember the famous "Nervous Breakdown" episode; 10 original episodes of the "talk-show" spinoff "Fernwood 2 Night," starring Martin Mull, Fred Willard, and Frank De Vol; new essays by Lear and Pulitzer Prize–winning TV critic Tom Shales. (Shout! Factory).
Matilda BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1996) Dir.: Danny DeVito; Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Aileen Quinn, Paul Reubens. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, "Matilda" tells the story of a super-smart little girl (Wilson) who's woefully misunderstood by her parents (DeVito, Perlman), her brother, and an evil school principal. With the help of her telekinetic powers, along with a brave best friend and a wonderful teacher (Davidtz), Matilda discovers she doesn't have to get mad to get even. Extras: New featurette "Afternoon Tea, A Very Magical Matilda Reunion," bringing the entire cast back together 17 years after the original filming of the movie. Shot exclusively for the Blu-ray, it captures the cast reliving the memories and magic of making the film during an afternoon tea party at director-star Danny DeVito's private Beverly Hills home. Also includes four previously released featurettes: "Matilda's Movie Magic!" that explores the film's stunts and special effects with DeVito, "A Children's Guide to Good Manners" of lessons in etiquette humorously demonstrated with scenes from the film, "Escape to the Library" with a special reading by the book author's daughter, and "My Movie About Making Matilda" by Wilson. (Sony).
(1978) The greatest rock mockumentary of all time, "All You Need Is Cash," the legendary parody of The Beatles from Monty Python founding member Eric Idle, makes it's Blu-ray debut. Originally introduced by Idle in his post-Python BBC satire "Rutland Weekend Television," "All You Need Is Cash" was brought to prime time in a 1978 TV special, produced by "Saturday Night Live's" Lorne Michaels, directed by Gary Weis and featuring the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players. The film follows the epic rise and fall of the tight-trousered lads from Rutland as they hit the top of the pops and the heights of absurdity. Bonus features on the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack include a new interview with Eric Idle, 2004's "The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch" (in which celebrity artists, actors and musicians came forward to revisit and reflect on how The Rutles influenced them and the cultural landscape. Guest stars included George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger, Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Lorne Michaels, Carrie Fisher, Michael Palin, Paul Simon, Gary Shandling, David Bowie, Ron Wood, Steve Martin, Conan O'Brien, Salman Rushdie, Jimmy Fallon, Robin Williams and many more) and the original "Rutland Weekend" sketch from "Saturday Night Live" that aired in 1976 when Idle hosted the late night series. (Video Services Corp.).
Saturn 3 BLU-RAY DEBUT
(1980) Dir.: Stanley Donen; Farrah Fawcett, Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel. Extras: Commentary by Greg Moss ("Saturn 3" fan site) and film critic David Bradley, interviews with Academy Award-winning special effects artist Colin Chilvers and voice actor Roy Dotrice, deleted scene, additional scenes from the network television version, theatrical trailer, TV spots, still gallery. Blu-ray/DVD Combo. (Scream Factory/Shout! Factory).
Smash & Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers
(2013) Their crimes play out like a Hollywood action movie: A sports car speeds through a Dubai shopping mall, crashing into the windows of a Graff jewelry store. Masked, gun-wielding men jump out of the car, and stuff fistfuls of diamonds into their satchels before screeching off. The high-octane, real world of international jewel thieves is revealed in this documentary on the formidable Balkan crime organization dubbed "The Pink Panthers" (so named after the police recovered a huge diamond in a tub of face cream in a scene reminiscent of a classic Blake Edwards' "Pink Panther" movie) that has stolen nearly a billion dollars of jewels from boutiques in the world's most opulent cities, including Paris, London, Geneva, and Tokyo. Formats: DVD, Digital. Extras: Original CCTV robbery footage, exclusive Pink Panther phone call, director's interview, more. (Doppelganger Releasing).
Things Never Said
(2013) Shanola Hampton, Omari Hardwick, Tamala Jones. An aspiring poet in a troubled marriage meets a new man who helps her find her artistic voice. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (Lionsgate).
Transformers Prime: Season Three -- Beast Hunters
(2013) Two-disc set with 13 episodes. The complete third and final season of Hasbro Studios' Emmy Award-winning series. The epic battle with Decepticons rages on as Optimus Prime leads his team of Autobots and three teenagers -- Miko, Jack and Raf -- in a mission to defend earth and one day restore his home planet of Cybertron. But Decepticons' power to reign over Earth has never been greater. Megatron and his Decepticons have destroyed Autobots' base, scattering Optimus Prime and his heroic team to the wind and leaving them out of communication with one another. Formats: DVD, $19.93; Blu-ray Disc, $24.97. Extras: "Transformers Prime" panel at San Diego Comic-Con International 2013, commentary. (Shout! Factory).
(Apple computers), the three days of new wave, heavy metal and rock are legendary. Features performances from U2, the Clash, Judas Priest, Stevie Nicks, Scorpions, INXS, Men at Work, Stray Cats, Triumph, Missing Persons and more. US stands for Unite Us in Song. An incredible event and a culture document of the period. Formats: DVD. (MVD Visual).
© 1996 -- 2013 OnVideo. All rights reserved
December 2, 2013
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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