The Brothers Grimsby (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Nobby (Sacha Baron Cohen), a sweet but dimwitted English football hooligan, has everything a man from the poor fishing town of Grimsby could want, including nine children and the most attractive girlfriend in Northern England (Rebel Wilson). There’s only one thing missing: his little brother, Sebastian (Mark Strong), who Nobby has spent 28 years searching for after they were separated as kids. Nobby sets off to reunite with Sebastian, unaware that not only is his brother MI6’s deadliest assassin, but he’s just uncovered plans for an imminent global terrorist attack. On the run and wrongfully accused, Sebastian realizes that if he is going to save the world, he will need the help of its biggest idiot.
The opening scene of this film sets the tone for the rest as it zooms out to reveal the picture’s first instance of absurdity. From then on it’s a revolving door of ridiculous, crude and occasionally clever jokes that involve anal penetration, elephant penises, ill-placed poisonous darts and a lust for killing. And this is definitely one of those instances in which what was left out truly is worse as demonstrated by the deleted scenes. This character is right up Cohen’s alley, so his comfort with Nobby’s ludicrousness is expected; however, Strong’s equal partnership in the silliness is both surprising and impressive. Both men repeatedly prove their commitment to their roles and ability to keep a straight face.
Special features include: deleted and extended scenes; making-of featurette; “The Elephant in the Room”; “Line-O-Rama: Hilarious Outtakes”; and blooper reel. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Precious Cargo (Blu-ray & DVD)
After a botched heist, Eddie (Bruce Willis), a murderous crime boss, hunts down the seductive thief Karen (Claire Forlani) who failed him. In order to win back Eddie’s trust, Karen recruits her ex-lover and premier thief Jack (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) to steal a cargo of rare precious gems. But when the job goes down, allegiances are betrayed and lines are crossed as Jack, Karen, and Eddie face off in a fateful showdown.
This is another dime-a-dozen heist movie, but Gosselaar’s and Willis’ involvement make it a fairly entertaining watch. Regrettably Forlani is too stiff throughout, whether she’s stabbing someone in the back or trying to seduce them she never really appears believable. Willis’ role is relatively small and he spends most of it being very serious, which is neither here nor there. Gosselaar, on the other hand, is quite entertaining for most of the picture and carries the audience through a rather mundane movie with the help of some decent supporting characters. Unfortunately, many viewers will likely be able to identify the so-called twist within the first few minutes of the film, which definitely takes the wind out of the reveal’s sails later.
Special features include: making-of featurette. (VVS Films)
Two Guys and a Girl: The Complete Series (DVD)
Beacon Street Pizza is the perfect workplace and hangout for the aimless wise guy Berg (Ryan Reynolds), the neurotic Pete (Richard Ruccolo) and the campus beauty Sharon (Traylor Howard). Together, these three best friends navigate life and love in Boston.
Before Reynolds made a splash playing the charming ne’er-do-well Van Wilder, he entertained audiences on the small screen portraying dedicated slacker Michael Bergen in Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place. In hindsight there are many similarities between the characters, but it’s here viewer’s get their first glimpses of the lovable smart aleck that would eventually amuse people around the world as “the merc with the mouth.” The trio of friends are always hilarious, and have great chemistry and comedic timing. Each season the Halloween episode takes its cue from other sitcoms that tell entirely unrelated tales of horror in which series regulars die under strange or mysterious circumstances. In addition, Nathan Fillion became a show regular with appearances by the Barenaked Ladies, Adam Carolla, Jon Cryer, Bo Derek, Robert Goulet and Tiffani Thiessen.
Special features include: alternate season finale. (Shout Factory)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Stuck in a rut, reporter Kim Baker (Tina Fey) decides to shake things up by leaving her desk job in New York and taking a dangerous assignment in Afghanistan. Far from home and completely out of her comfort zone, a culture-shocked Kim befriends an adventurous reporter (Margot Robbie), a no-nonsense Colonel (Billy Bob Thornton) and a charming photojournalist (Martin Freeman) to help her navigate this crazy new world.
It’s no coincidence the acronym for this movie is “WTF” because that is a sentiment easily uttered repeatedly throughout the picture. This is somewhat of a dramedy that really captures the juvenile lifestyles of war reporters who practically live in frat houses and party hard when they’re not risking their lives in the field or trying to convince their employers what they’re doing is still relevant. Fey really captures both sides of Kim as she evolves from a naïve, inexperienced reporter to a seasoned correspondent who likes the adrenaline rush. The supporting cast mentioned above play a major role in Kim’s story, convincingly contributing to her good and bad experiences overseas while also helping develop a broader representation of the job and its pitfalls.
Special features include: deleted and extended scenes; making-of featurette; “War Reporter: The Real Kim”; “Embedded in Reality”; “Wedding Party”; and “Laughing Matters.” (Paramount Home Media Distribution)
The X-Files: The Event Series (Blu-ray)
Almost 14 years after the original series run, stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson re-inhabit their roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Meanwhile, FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), Mulder and Scully’s boss, walks a fine line between loyalty to these investigators and accountability to his superiors.
Hearing the original theme song and seeing the original visuals again is quite a trip down memory lane, which is only enhanced by how seamlessly Duchovny, Anderson and others reprise their roles. The first episode begins with their new lives in separate locations, mostly estranged from each other and the Bureau. But the case that reunites them all is directly related to one of the key plots they worked on in the original series. Before long they’re investigating mutations and experiments related to Roswell, once again in their basement office adorned by the iconic UFO poster. The six-episode event is a satisfying return to the beloved series, delivering even crazier conspiracies but not much more closure.
Special features include: commentary on select episodes by creator Chris Carter, actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, and more; deleted and extended scenes; “The Makings of a Struggle”; “Season X: An In-Depth Behind-the-Scenes Look at The Event Series”; “Monsters of the Week: A Recap from the Wildest and Scariest from the Original Series”; “The X-Files” – green production PSA; Grace, a short film by Karen Nielsen; and gag reel. (Fox Home Entertainment)
