Annabelle: Creation (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Several years after the tragic death of their young daughter, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shut-down orphanage into their home. They soon become the target of the doll maker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.
In spite of the Annabelle doll’s multiple appearances throughout The Conjuring‘s ever-expanding franchise, this film conveys its origin story… sort of. The actual possession of the doll is somewhat glossed over in favour of a period more than a decade later when the evil manifests for a second time. Director David F. Sandberg has demonstrated a good understanding of what makes an enjoyable horror movie. While his previous film relied on darkness and a mostly unseen demon, the evil object is front-and-center in this movie — it’s just a matter of how she appears and what she does on- and off-screen. However, the film is not without its problems. Namely, it’s much too long. Carrying any level of scary intensity for nearly two hours is an almost impossible task. It’s also not very original, recycling countless elements from a number of other horror movies. However, that said, the film does an excellent job of connecting to the greater Conjuring universe with appearances by The Nun and closing the loop with the first Annabelle picture.
Special features include: commentary by director David F. Sandberg; deleted scenes; “Directing Annabelle”; “The Horror Continues”; and “Horror Shorts: Attic Panic and Coffer.” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Bushwick (Blu-ray & DVD)
Emerging from a NY subway on her way home from college, Lucy (Brittany Snow) discovers her neighbourhood of Bushwick engulfed in utter chaos. Trying to escape the violence, Lucy seeks refuge in the basement of Stupe (Dave Bautista), a former Marine on his way out of town to find his family. As the unlikely pair navigate through a hail of gunfire and lethal explosions, they learn they are in the middle of a civil war as Texas attempts to secede from the U.S. With the clash between local residents and the militia escalating, Lucy and Stupe must rely on each other in an impossible race to get out of the city and survive another day.
The beginning of the film has an apocalyptic feel as Lucy surfaces to find dead bodies, fires and everyone shooting to kill. The fact that it’s actually a second attempt at secession by the southern states is interesting from a narrative perspective — Americans killing each other to preserve their way of life — as well as a bold statement about the country’s politics and current state of affairs. However, the rationale for beginning the rebellion in Bushwick makes very little sense since one of the presumed primary motives would contradict their reasoning. In any case, the unlikely pair slowly make their way through the dangerous neighbourhood they once called home, encountering threats from both sides. The conclusion is fitting, though it does leave behind some unanswered questions and things to think about in terms of the society’s overall direction.
Special features include: making-of featurette; and photo and poster galleries. (RLJ Entertainment)
The Good Place: The Complete First Season (DVD)
What happens when we die? It’s a question everyone has asked, since the beginning of time. But when Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) dies tragically, she finds out that the afterlife is amazing; full of frozen yogurt, soulmates and wonderful people who have done incredible things with their lives. It is absolutely perfect. The only problem is Eleanor isn’t supposed to be in The Good Place. In fact, her life decisions wouldn’t have even gotten her close. But due to a clerical error, she’s been given someone else’s reward and now has to struggle with being good in order to make sure her secret isn’t discovered.
This is a very engaging depiction of the afterlife with a fantastic season finale. Ted Danson plays the “architect” of this quaint, post-death existence. But his future is intertwined with its success, so when strange things begin to plague the should-be-perfect town he starts to panic. In the meantime, Eleanor is doing her best to fit in — even though it’s completely contradictory to her nature. Her “soulmate” was a professor of morals and ethics, but teaching Eleanor how to be a good person may be a greater challenge than any for which he’s prepared. Soon they discover there are others keeping secrets and the circle of people who know keeps widening. Before long there are some difficult choices to make, but the end result is quite unexpected.
Special features include: commentary on two episodes with creator Michael Schur, executive producer Drew Goddard, and co-stars Jameela Jamil and D’Arcy Carden; live table read; “A Look at the Visual Effects”; and gag reel. (Shout Factory)
Green Acres: The Complete Series (DVD)
Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) is a well-read lawyer who has had enough of the hustle and bustle of New York, so he pulls up stakes to settle down in a more pastoral setting… much to the dismay of his glamorous wife Lisa (Eva Gabor), who’s more accustomed to life in The Big Apple than on a small farm. Having said “goodbye, city life” the Douglases must contend with their new surroundings.
This is a classic fish-out-of-water comedy in which its stars couldn’t be more out of place as demonstrated by the couple’s retention of their fancy city clothes on the farm — watching Oliver trying to fix the constantly breaking tractor or work the land in his three-piece suit was a running gag on the show. Other recurring jokes included regular visits by the local conman and the town’s ability to always know (and misinterpret) everything happening at the Douglases. From their phone being attached to a pole on the roof to Oliver’s agriculture experience being confined to his penthouse balcony, it’s a wonder they last as long as they do away from the city. The show existed in the same universe as its rural cousins The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction with which it shared various crossovers. The series lasted six seasons before being cancelled so the network could make room for more urban shows.
Special features include: pilot episode commentary by pop culture historian Russell Dyball; interview with Eddie Albert from The Dick Cavett Show (audio only); interview with Eddie Albert from The Danny Kaye Show; and select “Granby’s Green Acres” original radio shows. (Shout Factory)
Mind Blown (DVD)
A team of telekinetics — code-named “Project Mind Blown” — has been secretly assembled in a high-tech facility. Their minds have the power to shake the Earth or bring rain to drought-starved areas. They’ve been told their abilities will be used to do good for humanity. But when evidence suggests that the group has been tricked into causing destruction in U.S. cities, one team member goes rogue, racing against time to uncover a deadly conspiracy.
This picture opts to leave a lot of things unexplained, such as how the team members were located, how long they’ve been working together, what the colonel’s background is to lead such a project, or what their training entailed. Audiences are simply dropped into a story already in progress and expected to go along with it. Unfortunately, the narrative isn’t compelling enough to draw the viewers in so they won’t ask these questions and more. Each telekinetic appears to control one of Earth’s elements, but things go south pretty quickly after what is apparently their first real mission. The team quickly fractures along pre-established lines, which mostly appears to be an excuse to pit them (and their powers) against each other before presenting an ending that makes even less sense.
There are no special features. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (Blu-ray & DVD)
Throughout the 1990s, a serial killer terrorized upstate New York. After a decade-long crime spree conducted largely under the radar of law enforcement, the killer left behind the most disturbing collection of evidence homicide detectives had even seen — hundreds of homemade videotapes that chronicled the stalking, abduction, murder and disposal of his victims. The film examines these horrific tapes at length: what they reveal about the killer, why they were made and how FBI profilers have used them to better understand violent, psychopathic behavior. It combines interviews surrounding the devastating impact of the “Water Street Butcher,” with shocking footage from the tapes themselves.
This movie combines the found-footage genre with a completely serious mockumentary. Including written descriptions of the crimes and perpetrator as well as interviews with experts, victim’s families and law enforcement, the film directly captures the tension of similar real-life criminal investigation shows. The quest to speak with an elusive survivor is the filmmakers’ cherry for the final act as they paint a horrific picture of her captivity via the videotapes. It goes a little astray by giving the killer too much power as he apparently understands forensics, has a pattern that abruptly changes and is smarter than everyone combined. Filmmakers also attempt to capture realistic torture and murder in the videos, which are generally disturbing and uncomfortable in spite of the fact that they are make-believe.
Special features include: interviews with writer/director John Erick Dowdle, writer/producer Drew Dowdle, and actress Stacy Chbosky; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)
War for the Planet of the Apes (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel (Woody Harrelson). After suffering unimaginable losses, Caesar resolves to avenge his kind, pitting him against the Colonel for a final showdown that will determine the future of the planet.
This is unquestionably the darkest film of the trilogy, but also the most compelling. While none of the new films maintained the campy nature of the original franchise, this one takes a very serious look at war that rivals some of its historically-based counterparts. The battles are quite vicious, though it’s the people who lack humanity and compassion in these confrontations. Caesar and his clan abhor bloodshed, but will do what’s required to save their families. The motion capture technology remains exceptionally good at portraying realistic simians with deep-running emotions and extraordinary intellect. Caesar struggles with the role of leader in a conflict he rejected, favouring the part of protector instead when big decisions must be made. Harrelson is an unsurprisingly excellent maniac, fanatical and unwavering until the end. He is Caesar’s polar opposite and biggest threat. This film brings an appropriate conclusion to the prequel series as it combines emotion, action and absorbing characters.
Special features include: commentary by director Matt Reeves; deleted scenes with optional commentary by Reeves; “Waging War for the Planet of the Apes”; “All About Caesar”; “WETA: Pushing Boundaries”; “Music for Apes”; “Apes: The Meaning of it All”; “The Apes Saga: An Homage”; and concept art gallery. (Fox Home Entertainment)
