Big Hero 6 (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Baymax is a lovable, personal companion robot who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends — adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred — who transform into a band of unlikely heroes.
The Oscar award-winning animated feature is exactly what you would hope for from the collaboration of Disney and Marvel, both visually and narratively. The current superhero market is populated with mature men and women who mostly have superpowers, but this film centres on a group of younger crime fighters using their interests in science and technology to get the upper hand. The team’s physical strength is provided by suits that complement their personalities and talents, including chemistry and a desire to be a fire-breathing reptile. Discovering the villain’s identity has a bit of a Scooby-Doo feel to it, but is not out of place in the overall story world. The narrative keeps audiences of all ages fully engaged and often on the edge of their seats. And the strange friendship that forms between Hiro and Baymax is amusing and touching. It’s the classic tale of a boy that bonds with his robot, but it’s done exceptionally well. Also included in the release is the adorable Academy Award-winning animated short, Feast.
Special features include: short animated film, Feast; deleted scenes with intro by directors Don Hall & Chris Williams; “The Origin Story of Big Hero 6: Hiro’s Journey”; “Big Animator 6: The Characters Behind the Characters”; “Big Hero Secrets” (Easter egg); gag animations with intro by directors Don Hall & Chris Williams; and “Beatmax.” (Disney Pictures Home Entertainment)
Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
While the Lannisters’ hold on the Iron Throne remains intact, new and ongoing threats from the south, north and east threaten to tip the scales. As Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) continue to grow their respective armies, the arrival of the Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne” (Pedro Pascal) poses a more immediate danger. In the north, the depleted Night’s Watch seems overmatched against the advances of Mance Rayder’s (Ciaran Hinds) army of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe: the undead White Walkers.
No matter how long this series continues or boasts of its rising death count, the ease with which it will snuff out a major character never fails to surprise. In the second episode of this season, a character that’s played a pivotal role up to now is shockingly(?) killed off. This chapter also has one of the most graphic and upsetting deaths that lingers long after the rest of the show’s personalities have moved on. The roundtable of actors whose characters were axed this season in the bonus features is particularly amusing due to its participants. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) is at the centre of this year’s storyline as his cutthroat family may finally get their wish to be rid of him, but he definitely has other plans. Though the seasons don’t generally end in a cliff-hanger, there are numerous looming threats to many of the houses that will be interesting to watch play out in the upcoming season.
Special features include: commentaries with cast and crew; deleted/extended scenes; in-episode guide; “Histories & Lore”; “Behind the Battle for the Wall”; “The Fallen: A Roundtable”; “The Politics of Power: A Look Back at Season 3”; and “Bastards of Westeros.” (HBO Home Entertainment)
Horrible Bosses 2 (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Nick (Jason Bateman), Dale (Charlie Day) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) decide to become their own bosses by launching a business. But after a slick investor (Christoph Waltz) deceives them, they hatch a misguided plan to get their company back by kidnapping the investor’s adult son (Chris Pine).
Much of the humour in the first picture lay with the bosses who were so outrageous they were inherently entertaining. Even though Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Spacey reprise their roles, albeit in a more limited capacity, the job of villain has been handed to Pine and to a lesser extent Waltz. They’re fantastic as the ruthless businessman father and his spoiled, slightly insane son. Jamie Foxx also returns as the less-than-helpful criminal consultant M.F. Jones. And yet, most of the picture still falls flat. The trio’s ineptitude for breaking the law is already established and simply being stupid can only carry a film so far. While the supporting cast is quite funny, the movie rests on the shoulders of Bateman, Day and Sudeikis, and they just don’t have it this time around.
Special features include: “Endless Laughter Guaranteed”; “Let The Sexual Healing Begin”; “Who Invented The Shower Buddy”; “Nick Kurt Dale INC: Employee Testimonials”; “It’s The Shower Buddy – Infomercial”; and “High Speed Crash Course.” (Warner Home Video)
New Year’s Evil (Blu-ray)
Diane “Blaze” Sullivan (Roz Kelly), the host of a nationally televised punk-rock show on New Year’s Eve, is receiving calls from a mysterious killer who tells her of his plans to off someone at midnight in each of America’s major time zones — and she will be the last.
The latest ‘80s slasher flick to be transferred to Blu-ray is actually based on an interesting concept and throws a relatively unforeseen twist into the final act before fulfilling the audience’s original expectations. It’s clear there wasn’t a lot of budget allocated to the soundtrack as the same New Year’s Eve punk song is repeated throughout the film, which can be irritating after the umpteenth time. None of the murders are shown on screen, which also lowers the special effects budget by only having to put some blood on the murdered women for when they’re discovered; though the killer apparently takes the time to pose some of his victims. In the end it’s pretty standard slasher fair.
Special features include: commentary by director Emmett Alston; a making-of featurettes; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)
Sons of Anarchy: The Final Season (Blu-ray)
Reeling from the death of the woman he loves, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) steers SAMCRO full-throttle down the hell-bound road to revenge, allowing nothing to stand in his way. The streets of Charming run red with blood as shifting alliances and fatal mistakes lead to chaos, betrayal, and all-out murder. The body count soars, and dark secrets give way to darker truths, until the only question remaining is who will live… and who will die.
Creator Kurt Sutter has long cited Shakespeare’s Hamlet as inspiration for the series and specifically the character arc of Jax. Therefore anyone familiar with the play knows there could only be one conclusion for the motorcycle prince. But so much happens in the episodes leading up to the finale. There are several deaths, some of which were expected and many that weren’t with one being particularly devastating. The club’s members experience incredible turmoil, most of which can be laid at Jax’s feet. Marilyn Manson has a recurring role as an Aryan leader who wields control from his prison cell. And yet with all the death and maiming this season, it’s almost surprising that a sexy intro was singled out as the target of backlash. While the seasons leading up to the “final ride” seemed dark, this one goes deep into the darkness to turn nearly every episode into a punch to the gut.
Special features include: deleted scenes; “Carpe Diem: The Final Season of Sons of Anarchy”; “Anarchy Legacy”; “Bikes of Sons of Anarchy: Motorcycles of Mayhem”; “SOA Tattoo Stories”; “Guests of Anarchy”; and gag reel. (Fox Home Entertainment)
Whiplash (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man’s life. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability — and his sanity.
The image of a struggling musician is almost cliché at this point, but this depiction still manages to stand out from the crowd thanks to an excellent script based on the personal experiences of writer/director Damien Chazelle, and striking performances from Teller and Academy Award-winner Simmons. A two-month boot camp turned Teller, a former rock drummer, into a passable jazz drummer, giving the story the authenticity of a young man putting his blood (a lot of blood), sweat and tears into reaching his goal. Though the essence of the story is housed within the walls of the music institution, there’s an attempt to round out the characters with external relationships. Nonetheless efforts to show a softer, more vulnerable side of Fletcher are eventually overpowered by his vile personality because he is so deeply bitter and angry. Conversely, audiences immediately gravitate to Andrew. The final act is the climax the film deserves and it’s executed flawlessly, leaving audiences with a physical and emotional reaction that carries through long past the movie’s end. Included in the special features is a fitting 45-minute interview compilation with professional drummers, as well as the original short film that depicts one of the picture’s defining scenes with Simmons leading the charge.
Special features include: commentary with writer/director Damien Chazelle and J.K. Simmons; deleted scene with optional commentary; “An Evening at the Toronto International Film Festival with Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons and Damien Chazelle”; “Timekeepers,” famous drummers discuss their craft and passion for drumming; and Whiplash original short film with optional commentary. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
