It’s time for another look at some of the highlights arriving on Blu-ray and DVD. This edition includes a nice mix of studio features and independent efforts. So, if you can’t make it out to the movies this week or need to stay indoors, be sure to give one of these titles a try!
BIG NEW RELEASES!
AIR: Based on the true story, this film involves a new executive at Nike who turns heads after watching NBA rookie Michael Jordan play basketball. Certain that the athlete will become famous, the businessman offers the fresh face an expensive contract. With everyone ready to lambaste the pair, Jordan becomes an immediate success on the court and the two create “Air Jordan” sneakers.
Critics enjoyed this sports drama. A small contingent complained that the movie was slight and only served to boost the Nike brand and Michael Jordan. However, the majority wrote that it was well-paced and acted, had a lot of heart and served as an enjoyable inspirational tale.
The film is directed by Ben Affleck and stars Matt Damon, Affleck, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker and Julius Tennon. Please note that those with an Amazon Prime subscription can also stream the feature on this service.
CORNER OFFICE: A stiff and eccentric new employee at a strange corporation is determined to make his way up the ranks. When he discovers a hidden office that no one else can see, he decides to use it in order to plot his rise. After co-workers accuse him of being unstable, the protagonist eventually squares off against them as he attempts to leave his mark at the company.
This dark comedy didn’t impress reviewers. Almost one-third of them liked the performances and thought the film was completely unique and quirky, keeping them intrigued throughout. Sadly, the rest found its critique of the corporate world too on-the-nose and the events repetitive and unexciting.
For the time being, this is a DVD-only release. It stars Jon Hamm, Danny Pudi, Christopher Heyerdahl and Sarah Gadon.
JOY RIDE: A young executive who arrived in the U.S. as a Chinese adoptee is given a big break and is asked to travel to China and close a contract with a big client. She decides to take along her childhood best friend as a translator, who, in turn, invites her shy cousin. The lead also pays a visit to an old college chum. Things immediately go haywire for the friends and, in order to repair the damage, the protagonist must lead them on a quest to locate her birth mother and attend a follow-up meeting.
This raunchy comedy met with a favorable response. A handful critiqued it for following the usual wild comedy route of simply trying to shock audiences, and then overdosing on sentimentality. Everyone else stated that while the story was familiar, the cast was charming and there were enough wild, surprising gags to make a positive impression.
It stars Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, David Denman and Annie Mumolo.
KING ON SCREEN: Fans of horror author Stephen King may be excited to see this documentary. It reports that since the 1976 adaptation of the book Carrie, more than 80 King works have been translated to film and television. A documentary crew seeks to determine why the writer’s books are so popular and how he became the most adapted author in the world. It features interviews with dozens of directors and performers who have worked on various King-related projects.
This effort received a positive reception, although not overwhelmingly so. About one-third thought it only provided fan service and had so much material to cover that it didn’t answer many of the questions raised. But the consensus was that it had some wonderful interviews and was an efficient overview of the many good and bad King adaptations that have come down the pipeline.
Interview subjects include James Caan, Tim Curry, Frank Darabont, Mike Flanagan, Mick Garris, Taylor Hackford, Mark L. Lester, Vincenzo Natali and Greg Nicotero. This is a DVD-only release for the time being.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
You’ll find all the kid-friendly releases listed below.
The Furry Fortune (Vision Films) DVD
PBS Kids: 17 Puppy Adventures (PBS Kids) DVD
Shrek the Third (2007) (Universal) 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray set
ON THE TUBE!
Here are all of the week’s TV-themed titles.
Abbott Elementary Season 2 (Warner Bros.) DVD
Buffalo Soldiers - Fighting on Two Fronts (PBS) DVD
Chicago P.D. Season 10 (Universal) DVD
Cobra Kai Season 5 (Sony) DVD
VISIT: WWW.CINEMASTANCE.COM
By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
