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You are here: Community Film DVD/Blu-ray Roundup for Nov. 4, 2016

DVD/Blu-ray Roundup for Nov. 4, 2016

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Welcome back to the latest summary of new releases on Blu-ray and DVD. We’ve got a good mix of some big movies and independent fare. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

Big New Releases!

Anthopoid - Based on a true story, this WWII drama depicts a group of resistance fighters in Czechoslovakia who plot to assassinate Hitler’s third in command. The fighters struggle to pull off their elaborate plan and must come to terms with the high likelihood of their demise. More critics appreciated the movie than disliked it. Some called it a grim slog and scoffed at a romantic subplot, but the majority thought it did a solid job of creating a feeling of anxiety and tension. The movie stars Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, Charlotte Le Bon, Anna Geislerova, and Toby Jones.

Bad Moms - A trio of overworked and underappreciated mothers set out to liberate and enjoy themselves. Of course, in the process they butt heads with the president of the local PTA. There were more positive reviews for this title than negative ones. Some complained that the movie didn’t take advantage of its concept and felt rather generic overall, but more enjoyed the chemistry between the funny moms. The cast includes Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jay Hernandez.

Carnage Park - This independent thriller involves a robbery gone wrong that leaves a pair of crooks and their hostage trapped in a remote area of desert. Things go from bad to worse when a mad gunman begins targeting the entire group. Notices were mixed for the final product. Nearly half found it too grim and ugly to enjoy, while the remainder called it nasty, but well-plotted and ultimately effective in mimicking exploitation films of the 1970s. It features Ashley Bell, Pat Healy, Alan Ruck, Darby Stanchfield, and Larry Fessenden.

Imperium - An FBI agent goes deep, deep undercover to infiltrate a right-wing white supremacist terrorist group. Naturally, he finds having to fit in with the nasty organization disconcerting and witnessing their activities more than disturbing; his reactions threaten to reveal his identity. Reviews were very good for this independent production. Many wrote that the subject matter was timely and that the feature was very tense and often chilling, featuring a great lead performance. It stars Daniel Radcliffe, Toni Collette, Tracy Letts, and Sam Trammell.

Nine Lives - In this family comedy, a billionaire workaholic buys his daughter a cat for her birthday. However, on the way home he gets into an accident and has his consciousness inserted into the feline. Apparently, this gives him an all new perspective on his family and what they think of him. This picture flopped at the box office and with critics over the summer. They stated that despite the talented cast, this was a clumsy, unfunny and forgettable effort. Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner, and Christopher Walken headline the film.

The Sea of Trees - Remember that cheesy horror flick The Forest about characters visiting Japan about being tormented by ghosts in a haunted forest? This drama uses the same inspiration, following a suicidal American who travels to the park, where he encounters another man in a similar state. The two attempt to help each other reconcile their issues and move forward. Despite pedigreed director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk) at the helm, reviews were terrible. It has been described as ponderous, dull and overly melodramatic. At least the movie has an impressive cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Naomi Watts and Ken Watanabe.

Star Trek Beyond - This one was initially supposed to arrive on disc in September, but was delayed. The latest entry in this popular sci-fi series takes the crew of the Enterprise on a rescue mission. Unfortunately, soon after arriving, the heroes find themselves under attack, stranded on a remote planet and separated from each another. Critics were fairly positive about this entry. They stated that while the movie wasn’t particularly thoughtful, it was an improvement over the previous chapter thanks to the well-staged action and strong chemistry between cast members. It features Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Idris Elba.

Uncle Nick - In the mood for a lewd and crude holiday-themed comedy? This independent feature follows the drunken title character, who shows up for a family Christmas celebration that results in the reveal of family secrets (as well as other strangeness). Reaction to the feature was split, with half suggesting that the gross-out humor worked enough of the time to earn it a recommendation. The other half felt that the characters and situations were too distasteful to enjoy. It stars Brian Posehn, Scott Adsit, Missi Pyle, and Paget Brewster.

Blasts From the Past!

It’s a more subdued week for classic releases, but there are some interesting ones arriving. Shout! Factory has a Blu-ray the musical drama Gypsy (1962), about the life of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her struggles with her domineering stage manager mother. The movie stars Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell and was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Kino’s releasing some Blu-rays as well, both starring Betty Grable. They include the Western comedy The Beautiful Blonde From Bashful Bend (1949) as well as the film noir I Wake Up Screaming (1941).

Like Warner Archives, Sony Pictures is now releasing made-to-order Blu-rays of some of their older and more obscure titles. This week, you can now get the very unusual comedy Neighbors (1981), which casts John Belushi as a mild mannered family man. Things go a little crazy when a wild neighbor (played by Dan Aykroyd) moves in next door.

Speaking of Warner Archive, they’re also offering some of their titles as made-to-order discs. The campy adventure flick Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975) is one of their most ordered flicks on DVD, so now they’ve upgraded the transfer and are making the movie available in high definition as a Blu-ray.

On the DVD front, you can also pick up the animated feature Cats Don’t Dance (1997). Also from Warner Archive is the skateboarding picture Grind (2003), which features Adam Brody, Jason London, Stephen Root, and Brian Posehn. It may be good for a laugh. Additionally, you can order the fantasy flick Ladyhawke (1985). This one stars Matthew Broderick as a teen attempting to help a woman with a curse become reunited with the knight she loves. Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer play the tragic couple separated by magic. Finally, they also have Michael (1996), a comedy with John Travolta playing an angel in the modern world.

You Know, For Kids!

There’s plenty for the kids to enjoy. The highlights are listed below.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

Bob the Builder: Bob’s Winter Build

Care Bears & Cousins: Take Heart

Curious George: The Complete 9th Season

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree

Power Rangers Dino Charge: Hero

Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas

Super Sentai: Chouriki Sentai Ohranger: The Complete Series (the inspiration for Power Rangers)

By Glenn Kay

For the Sun