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OnVideo's Weekly Guide to Home Video Releases
Calvary
(2014) Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Isaach De Bankole, M. Emmet Walsh. Formats: Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Blu-ray extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, "The Role of a Good Priest," "A Matter of Faith," "A Father & His Daughter." (Fox).
Day of the Mummy
(2014) Danny Glover, William McNamara, Andrea Monier, Robin Steffen, Philip Marlatt, Eric Young, Michael Cortez. An adventurer's search in Egypt for the famed diamond known as the Codix Stone unleashes the wrath of a centuries old mummy. Formats: DVD. (Image Entertainment).
Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series
(2014) The most recent season sees a brand new face at the controls of the TARDIS with Peter Capaldi as the Doctor; 12 episodes. Formats: Five-disc DVD: $79.98, four-disc Blu-ray $89.98. Extras: Footage from London post-premiere Q&A with Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Steven Moffat; four Doctor Who episode commentaries; 12 behind-the-scenes featurettes; four "Doctor Who Exclusives"; "Doctor Who: The Ultimate Time Lord" (special with Fifth Doctor Peter Davison); "Doctor Who: The Ultimate Companion (special with Fifth Doctor Peter Davison); "Doctor Who: Earth Conquest" (World Tour Documentary); "Tour of the TARDIS." (BBC Home Entertainment).
Dolphin Tale 2
(2014) Harry Connick Jr., Nathan Gamble, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell, Austin Highsmith, Morgan Freeman, Bethany Hamilton. Charles Martin Smith, who directed "Dolphin Tale," wrote and directed the sequel that was inspired by another true story about the world’s most extraordinary dolphin Winter. Formats: DVD Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: "Dolphin Tale 2: True Story." Blu-ray adds Dolphin Tale 2: Underwater Magic," "Look Who's Running the Show," "Bethany Hamilton Meets Winter," "Dolphin Tale 2: The Mission," Cozi Zuehlsdorff: "Brave Souls," Gavin DeGraw: "You Got Me," blooper reel. (Warner).
Exodus: The Real Story
(2014) Two-disc collection features five HISTORY documentaries that explore the biblical telling of Moses's exodus from Egypt, including "Moses and the Ten Commandments," "Moses: Death Chase", "Joshua: Epic Slaughter," "The Secret Life of King Ramses II" and "The Lost Ark of the Covenant." Formats: DVD, $14.98. (Lionsgate).
Finding Joy
(2014) Josh Cooke, Liane Balaban, Barry Bostwick, Lainie Kazan, Tyler Bunch, Kiki Harris. A self-absorbed writer rediscovers himself, his offbeat family and what it means to be happy when he meets a spirited young woman who asks him to write her obituary. Formats: DVD. (Inception Media Group).
Frank
(2014) Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal. An offbeat comedy about a young wannabe musician, Jon (Gleeson), who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Fassbender), a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head, and his terrifying bandmate Clara (Gyllenhaal). Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD. Extras: AXS TV: A Look at Frank, trailer. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
I Origins
(2014) Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Berges-Frisbey. Thought-provoking drama that challenges the line between facts and faith. Dr. Ian Gray (Pitt) is a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye, along with his lab partner, Karen (Marling). After a tragic romance with an exotic young woman (Berges-Frisbey), Gray's obsession with her triggers a chain of events that leads to a stunning discovery years later ... one that may unlock the greatest mysteries of life. Formats: Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). (Fox).
In Search of Aliens: Season One
(2014) Three-disc set, $19.98. Series follows ancient astronaut theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos as he travels the world exploring the world's most ancient mysteries. Formats: DVD. (Lionsgate).
Jingle Bell Rocks!
(2014) Director Mitchell Kezin delves into the minds of some of the world's most legendary Christmas music fanatics and hits the road to hang with his holiday heroes -- including hip hop legend Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons of RUN-D.M.C., The Flaming Lips' frontman Wayne Coyne, filmmaker John Waters, bebopper Bob Dorough, L.A. DJ and musicologist Dr. Demento, and Calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow. In his search for the 12 best, underappreciated Christmas songs ever recorded, Kezin both asks and answers the question, "Why, when Christmas rolls around, are we still stuck cozying up with Bing Crosby under a blanket of snow?" With rollicking live performances, intimate interviews, and a kaleidoscope of touching and rare archive footage, "Jingle Bell Rocks!" is a cinematic sleigh-ride into the strange and sublime universe of alternative Christmas music. It's also a mix-tape of 12 of the weirdest, wildest, most poignant Christmas songs you've never heard. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Oscilloscope).
The Little Bedroom
(2014 -- Switzerland) Michel Bouquet, Florence Loiret Caille. When Edmond (Bouquet), a man quickly facing the loss of his independence, is placed in a care facility after taking a bad fall, he discovers that his son has sold his apartment. Determined to reclaim his autonomy, he leaves the care facility with Rose (Caille), an empathetic nurse still suffering from the loss of her unborn child. She takes him into her home to allow him the measure of freedom he deserves. Through this new living situation they develop a bond, which helps them both move forward with their lives. However, the unlikely friends must face the consequences when Edmond is reported missing. Formats: DVD, VOD, Digital. (Cinema Libre Studio).
Mork & Mindy: The Complete Series
(1978-82) Fifteen-disc set with 95 restored episodes from all four seasons, plus the two episodes from the TV series "Happy Days," which “hatched” the Mork character. Formats: DVD, $129.99. (CBS/Paramount).
The Night Porter
(1974) In this unsettling drama from Italian filmmaker Liliana Cavani ("Ripley's Game"), a concentration camp survivor (Charlotte Rampling) discovers her former torturer and lover (Dirk Bogarde) working as a porter at a hotel in postwar Vienna. When the couple attempt to re-create their sadomasochistic relationship, his former SS comrades begin to stalk them. Operatic and disturbing, "The Night Porter" deftly examines the lasting social and psychological effects of the Nazi regime. New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: New interviews with director Liliana Cavani and screenwriters Barbara Alberti and Amedeo Pagani; "Women of the Resistance," a 50-minute 1965 documentary by Cavani, composed of interviews with female partisans who survived the German invasion of Italy, with an intro by the filmmaker; an essay by scholar Gaetana Marrone-Puglia, author of "The Gaze and the Labyrinth: The Cinema of Liliana Cavani." (The Criterion Collection).
Power Rangers Super Megaforce Volume 1: Earth Fights Back
(2014) With the help of their powerful new legendary morphers and keys, Troy, Noah, Emma, Gia and Jake are able to morph into the Power Rangers Super Megaforce as they must save the city from Cybax's impending missile launch, battle Skatana's Octoblade attack and defeat a massive X-Borg assault. Formats: DVD: $14.98, Digital, UltraViolet (Cloud). Extras: (Lionsgate).
Safe
(1995) Julianne Moore gives a breakthrough performance as Carol White, a Los Angeles housewife in the late 1980s who comes down with a debilitating illness. After the doctors she sees can give her no clear diagnosis, she comes to believe that she has frighteningly extreme environmental allergies. A profoundly unsettling work from the great American director Todd Haynes ("Far from Heaven"), "Safe" functions on multiple levels: as a prescient commentary on self-help culture, as a metaphor for the AIDS crisis, as a drama about class and social estrangement, and as a horror film about what you cannot see. This revelatory drama was named the best film of the 1990s in a Village Voice poll of more than 50 critics. New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director Todd Haynes, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Audio commentary featuring Haynes, Moore, and producer Christine Vachon; new conversation between Haynes and Moore; "The Suicide," a 1978 short film by Haynes; new interview with Vachon; trailer; an essay by critic Dennis Lim. (The Criterion Collection).
The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears
(2013 -- Belgium) Klaus Tange. Following the disappearance of his wife, a man finds himself on a dark and twisted trail of discovery through the labyrinthine halls of his apartment building. Led on a wild goose chase by cryptic messages from his mysterious neighbors, he becomes entangled in a hellish nightmare as he unlocks their strange fantasies of sensuality and bloodshed. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. (Strand Releasing).
Time Bandits
(1981) In this fantastic voyage through time and space from Terry Gilliam, a boy named Kevin (Craig Warnock) escapes his gadget-obsessed parents to join a band of time-traveling dwarves. Armed with a map stolen from the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson), they plunder treasure from Napoleon (Ian Holm) and Agamemnon (Sean Connery) -- but Evil (David Warner) is watching their every move. Featuring a darkly playful script by Gilliam and Monty Python's Michael Palin (who also appears in the film), "Time Bandits" is at once a giddy fairy tale, a revisionist history lesson, and a satire on technology gone awry. New 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Terry Gilliam, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Audio commentary featuring Gilliam, co-writer/actor Michael Palin, and actors John Cleese, David Warner and Craig Warnock;
new piece narrated by film writer David Morgan and featuring production designer Milly Burns and costume designer James Acheson on the creation of the film's various historical periods and fantasy worlds; conversation between Gilliam and film scholar Peter von Bagh at Finland's Midnight Sun Film Festival in 1998; excerpt from a 1981 appearance by actor Shelley Duvall on Tom Snyder's "Tomorrow" show; trailer; an essay by critic David Sterritt. (The Criterion Collection).
Under the Dome: Season 2
When the Game Stands Tall
(2014) Jim Caviezel, Michael Chiklis, Alexander Ludwig, Laura Dern. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, VOD, Digital, UltraViolet (cloud). Extras: Commentary with director Thomas Carter, "Undefeated: Making When the Game Stands Tall" behind-the-scenes featurette. Blu-ray adds select scene commentary with director Thomas Carter and coach Bob Ladouceur, deleted & extended scenes, "Gridiron Action" football sequences featurette, "The Heart and Soul of a Program" look at the man behind the De La Salle Football Program. (Sony).
Guardians of the Galaxy
Surprise smash hit of the summer has an unlikely new Marvel team shooting for laughs and defending the universe from itself: Peter Quill, a brash, immoral human space adventurer; Rocket, a gun-toting genetically modified raccoon; Groot, a tree-like humanoid; the deadly assassin Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax. The absorbing space opera -- harking back to the days of early TV and movie serials, of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers -- kicks off when Quill steals a coveted orb and becomes the object of a relentless intergalactic bounty hunt. To evade his enemies, he forges an uneasy truce with the other misfits to form The Guardians of the Galaxy. But when Quill discovers the true power of the
orb, he must rally his ragtag band for a desperate battle that will decide the fate of the universe.
Extras: Deleted scene, preview of Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Blu-ray adds making-of featurettes, gag reel, commentary.
Vitals: Director: James Gunn. Stars: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro.
2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 122 min., Sci-Fi Action, Box office gross: $$320.068 million, Disney.
Calvary
Brendan Gleeson delivers a tour-de-force performance in this darkly comic tale of murder and morality from acclaimed writer-director John Michael McDonagh ("The Guard"). Father James (Gleeson) is a good priest who feels sinister forces closing in after being threatened by a mysterious parishioner. As he continues to comfort the troubled members of his windswept, small-town community, including his own fragile daughter (Kelly Reilly), Father James begins to wonder if he will have the courage to face his own personal Calvary. Chris O'Dowd turns in a sensational performance as a suspicious townsman with ulterior motives. Not to be missed.
Blu-ray extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, "The Role of a Good Priest," "A Matter of Faith," "A Father & His Daughter."
Vitals: Director: John Michael McDonagh. Stars: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Isaach De Bankole, M. Emmet Walsh.
2014, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Drama, Box office gross: $3.541 million, Fox.
Dolphin Tale 2
Charles Martin Smith, who directed "Dolphin Tale," wrote and directed the sequel that was inspired by another true story about the world’s most extraordinary dolphin Winter. The inspiring true story of Winter isn't over. Several years after receiving a prosthetic tail, Winter loses her surrogate mother, leaving her alone, grieving and unwilling to engage with anyone, even her best human friend, Sawyer. Worse, she may have to be moved from her home at the aquarium due to regulations requiring dolphins to be paired. When Dr. Clay Haskett and his dedicated team can’t find her a companion, it looks like they may lose their beloved Winter ... until an unexpected turn of events brings them hope.
Extras: "Dolphin Tale 2: True Story." Blu-ray adds Dolphin Tale 2: Underwater Magic," "Look Who's Running the Show," "Bethany Hamilton Meets Winter," "Dolphin Tale 2: The Mission," Cozi Zuehlsdorff: "Brave Souls," Gavin DeGraw: "You Got Me," blooper reel.
Vitals: Director: Charles Martin Smith. Stars: Harry Connick Jr., Nathan Gamble, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell, Austin Highsmith, Morgan Freeman, Bethany Hamilton.
2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 107 min., Drama, Box office gross: $33.618 million, Warner.
When the Game Stands Tall
Inspired by a true story, the sports drama tells the remarkable journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel), who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport. When the streak is broken, and tragedy strikes the team, Coach Lad must teach his players -- and the entire town -- that it's not about how you fall, but how you get back up.
Extras: Commentary with director Thomas Carter, "Undefeated: Making When the Game Stands Tall" behind-the-scenes featurette. Blu-ray adds select scene commentary with director Thomas Carter and coach Bob Ladouceur, deleted & extended scenes, "Gridiron Action" football sequences featurette, "The Heart and Soul of a Program" look at the man behind the De La Salle Football Program.
Vitals: Director: Thomas Carter. Stars: Jim Caviezel, Michael Chiklis, Alexander Ludwig, Laura Dern.
2014, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 115 min., Drama, Box office gross: $29.224 million, Sony.
Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead
(2014 -- Norway) Vegar Hoel, Orjan Gamst, Martin Starr, Jocelyn DeBoer, Ingrid Haas. Sequel to the 2009 cult zombie hit about a ski vacation that turns horrific when Martin and a group of medical students meet up with an army of Nazi Zombies led by Oberst Herzog; he accidentally killed his girlfriend with an axe, cut his own arm off with a chainsaw, and his friends got devoured by a battalion of Nazi Zombies. The following morning he wakes up in a hospital bed with a new arm -- but it's a super-powered Zombie arm that wants to kill him, and anything else it can reach. But with the help of his new Zombie Squad pals, he decides to deliver some payback to Colonel Herzog and his precious Nazi gold -- by raising an undead army of his own. Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc, VOD, Digital. Extras: Commentary with the director and writer, a VFX Featurette, "Dead Snow" comic book; Blu-ray Collector's Edition features the international version of the film and the short film "Armen." (Well Go USA).
Hart to Hart: Season Three
(1981-82) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $39.97. Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers star as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a wealthy and glamorous couple who always manage to find themselves caught up in mystery and adventure. In this detective drama reminiscent of the "Thin Man" movies, Wagner and Powers charmed audiences with their lighthearted chemistry and adventures. Assisting the Harts in their jet-setting life of intrigue, the loyal and gravel-voiced servant Max (Lionel Stander) provided an earthy counterpoint to the elegance of his employers. Created by Sidney Sheldon, the bestselling novelist ("Master of the Game," "Windmills of the Gods," "The Other Side of Midnight") and hit television producer ("I Dream of Jeannie," "The Patty Duke Show"). Formats: DVD. (Shout! Factory).
The Jeffersons: The Complete Series - The Deee-luxe Edition
(2013) Thirty-three disc box set with all 253 episodes from the 11 seasons of the classic sitcom developed by Norman Lear ("All in the Family," "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman") together for the first time, $229.99. Originally airing from 1975 to 1985, "The Jeffersons" documented the side-splitting exploits of an upwardly-mobile family: dry cleaning entrepreneur George (Sherman Hemsley), his wife Louise (Emmy winner Isabel Sanford), and their son Lionel, as they move from the working-class section of Queens to a luxury apartment in Manhattan. George's brash, arrogant personality always seems to get him in hot water. Lucky for him, he’s got the level-headed "Weezy" by his side and their wise-cracking maid Florence (Marla Gibbs) to keep him humble. Together, they overcome the comic challenges and culture clashes that their new way of life brings. Featuring a terrific supporting cast (including Paul Benedict, Roxie Roker and Franklin Cover), memorable guest appearances (Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight, Reggie Jackson, Billy Dee Williams and more) and of course, one of the catchiest theme songs in television history. Formats: DVD. Extras: "Movin' On Up – The Jeffersons" featurette, "All In The Family" episode "The Jeffersons Move Up," "E/R" pilot: the 1984 TV series "E/R," starring Elliott Gould and featuring Sherman Hemsley guest-starring as George Jefferson. (Shout! Factory).
Mister Ed: The Complete Series
(2014) Twenty-two disc set with all 143 episodes from the show's six seasons, including all Season 1 episodes in their original full-length for the first time and with Season 6 on DVD for the first time. $139.99. The world's most famous talking horse; the Olivier of equine actors; the one and only Mister Ed! Architect Wilbur Post (Alan Young) and his wife Carol (Connie Hines) have settled into a beautiful new home, complete with a barn in the backyard…and a very unique tenant. Wilbur finds that the former owner has left his horse behind. He soon discovers that this is no ordinary horse, as the eloquent Mr. Ed can talk, but only to Wilbur. The anxious architect and the pontificating palomino soon become the best of friends, leading to all sorts of comedic misadventures. Winner of the 1963 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series (Comedy), "Mister Ed" is undoubtedly one of the most memorable sitcoms of its era. From its kooky premise to its devilishly catchy theme song, it has endured as a true television classic.
Formats: DVD. Extras: Interviews with stars Alan Young and Connie Hines, commentary on the pilot episode with Alan Young and Connie Hines, Mister Ed U.S. Bonds promo, audio interview with Alan Young from Shokus Internet Radio's Stu's Show, audio interview with Alan Young and Connie Hines from Shokus Internet Radio's Stu's Show, Studebaker car commercials. (Shout! Factory).
(2014) Four-disc set with 13 episodes. From executive producer Steven Spielberg and based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, "Under the Dome" revisits the small New England town that was suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town's inhabitants continue to do their best to survive the post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from and if and when it will go away. Formats: DVD: $65.99, Blu-ray Disc: $76.99. Extras: "Stephen King & Season 2," "Filming The Season Premiere," "A Journey Through Season 2," "The Visual Effects of Season 2." (CBS/Paramount).
Decmber 7, 2014
(ISSN 1094-3676).
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