Aliens: 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is the sole survivor of the Nostromo’s deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien. After drifting through space in hyper-sleep for 57 years, Ripley returns to Earth, haunted by nightmares of the past. Although her story is initially met with disbelief, she agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426… and this time it’s war!
The first film in this franchise is such a prized blend of horror and science fiction, the expectations for the second were exceptionally high. Bringing back the battle-worn Ripley to face the nightmarish creature again seems natural as her business with the alien that dispatched her entire crew would never be concluded as long as both of them lived. Weaver became the poster woman for badass heroines and the subject of much analysis related to “the final girl” narrative. As audiences are already aware of what awaits the team of marines returning to her ship, the anticipation is inherently mixed with unavoidable dread. Director James Cameron takes the helm from Ridley Scott, infusing the film with more bravado and slimy textures. Ripley is also provided more than a cat to care for when a little girl is found on the ship. The packaging for this release is nearly identical to the 35th anniversary edition of Alien and similarly contains art from the comic series and collector cards alongside multiple versions of the movie.
Special features include: deleted and extended scenes; deleted scene montage; “The Inspiration and Design of Aliens”; “Superior Firepower: Making Aliens”; “Superior Firepower: Making Aliens Enhancement”; and pre-production galleries: “The Art of Aliens” and “Cast Portrait Gallery.” (Fox Home Entertainment)
Captain America: Civil War (3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) are joined by a star-studded lineup of beloved Marvel Super Heroes, including Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Bucky Barnes a.k.a. Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Sam Wilson a.k.a. Falcon (Anthony Mackie) Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes a.k.a. War Machine (Don Cheadle), Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Vision (Paul Bettany) and Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), along with new recruit Scott Lang a.k.a. Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and joined by two new additions to the MCU: T’Challa a.k.a. Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
There are two key components to this picture that raised it above what is now becoming the humdrum of Marvel offerings: the incorporation of new characters and the superhero showdown. Black Panther has a larger role than may have been expected as this film also serves as his origin story to some extent. Boseman does an excellent job portraying the hero’s regality, intelligence and righteousness, all while delivering an authentic-sounding accent. Just past the midpoint of the film, those for and against a new political accord stand head-to-head, neither willing to negotiate their positions. As team members, they’re most familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which makes the fight even more interesting and entertaining. The action is also peppered with some of the script’s best dialogue, certainly ranking this scene as one of the film’s best. The deleted scenes are equally entertaining in some cases and the mirrored bonus features centring on the two leaders is interesting.
Special features include: commentary by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely; deleted and extended scenes; “Captain America: The Road to Civil War”; “Iron Man: The Road to Civil War”; “United We Stand, Divided We Fall – The Making of Captain America: Civil War Part 1 & Part 2”; gag reel; and exclusive sneak peek of Doctor Strange. (Marvel Studios)
Cell (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
At the Boston airport, Clay (John Cusack) witnesses a scene of chaotic mayhem when an electronic signal turns hundreds of cell phone users into rabid killers. Desperate to find his estranged wife and son, Clay teams with a train driver (Samuel L. Jackson) to battle the horde of murderous “phoners” as the city descends into apocalyptic madness.
In the same vein as 28 Days Later, the populace is overtaken by a virus similar to the zombie strain that causes the infected to become violent and confused. Since the source of the disease is cell phones, it spreads unsurprisingly quickly. In spite of the horror connotations, the film follows the typical disaster-movie formula in which one person desperately tries to reunite with their probably already deceased/turned loved ones. Based on a novel by Stephen King, the general hypothesis seems to be that our technology turns us into mindless drones and, more specifically, generates a hive-mind mentality. The theory’s representation is obviously very extreme, but also makes it nearly impossible to miss the point. Yet, it’s just too strange — or perhaps too truthful — to really engage audiences.
Special features include: commentary by director Tod Williams; and “To Cell and Back.” (Lionsgate)
The Conjuring 2 (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson) travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.
The recent spotlight on the Warrens’ most infamous cases has resulted in some of the best horror cinema of recent years. As everyone is already aware of the Amityville story, it’s used as a launching pad to delve into the details of an equally disturbing situation an ocean away. Having triumphantly entered the scene with 2004’s Saw, director James Wan quickly catapulted to being one of the best horror filmmakers of his generation. He has a thorough understanding of the genre and its devices, and has demonstrated a keen sense of how to effectively apply them. Rather than solely rely on the element of surprise, Wan builds an intense atmosphere filled with anticipation. The monsters he portrays are so well-crafted, they’re scary irrespective of the narrative. In addition, he regularly toys with audience’s expectations; as they wait for something to leap from the dark, he opts for a more subtle appearance that lowers the viewer’s guard so he can really frighten them a few moments later.
Special features include: deleted scenes; “The Enfield Poltergeist: Living the Horror”; “The Conjuring 2: Hollywood’s Haunted Stage”; “Creating Crooked”; “Crafting The Conjuring 2”; and “Sounds of Scary.” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Madam Secretary: The Complete Second Season (DVD)
In her life, Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) has led many roles, as a CIA analyst, a professor, a wife, and a mother… but now, she leads America’s foreign policy as Secretary of State. The sensitive nature of her work creates tension at home when she’s forced to keep secrets from her husband Henry (Tim Daly), recently reactivated as an intelligence asset. As tensions mount with Russia and chaos brews in the Middle East, Elizabeth answers directly to President Conrad Dalton (Keith Carradine). She tries to steer the world back from the brink of war while navigating the complex agenda of Chief of Staff Russell Jackson (Željko Ivanek). Through it all, she knows she can rely on her brilliant staff, spearheaded by seasoned State Department insider Nadine Tolliver (Bebe Neuwirth).
The first episode starts with a bang as Elizabeth is thrust into a new position surrounded by confusion and necessity. However once things return to the normal day-to-day, everyone is reminded that “normal” is anything but in this administration. Displaced heads of state is a bit of a theme this season, as is the constant need to maintain secrets that could take down entire countries. U.S. relations with Russia is at the centre of this chapter as issues of spies, hostages and cyber security all come to the forefront and threaten to launch a new world war. Not ignoring current events, the characters also confront the aftermath of an attack by ISIS.
Special features include: deleted scenes on select episodes; “Time Talks”; “Season Two Guest Stars”; “Politics Unveiled: A Look at the Second Year”; and “A Tour of the Oval Office.” (Paramount Home Media Distribution)
Marauders (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
When an untraceable group of elite bank robbers executes the perfect heist, making off with millions in cash and leaving a dead bank manager in their wake, the FBI agents investigating the robbery/homicide (Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista, and Adrian Grenier) begin to uncover signs of corruption involving the bank’s owner (Bruce Willis) and his high-power clients. As they dig deeper into the case, the Feds realize that things are not what they seem, and in order to untangle a complicated web of deception and corruption they must push themselves to the brink, where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred.
The expertise of the thieves is clear from the beginning as they quickly take control of the bank, use artificial voice recordings to instruct the hostages and steal from specific holdings. Over time the target of their crimes also becomes evident; though it takes longer to figure out how they’re tied to a botched military operation five years earlier. Meloni has portrayed so many cops over his career, he was the perfect choice on- and off-screen to lead his less experienced co-stars. Likewise, Willis has often played the clever villain of late. Bautista is still in his wheelhouse of tough guy with a few clever lines, while Grenier is generally adequate as the green recruit with something to prove. Considering director Steven C. Miller is still relatively new to this genre and yet aspired to shoot the whole thing in 16 days, it’s fitting that so many of the actors be naturally suited to their roles. Yet even still, the movie is just a mediocre action movie with a lot of familiar names.
Special features include: commentary by director Steven C. Miller and cinematographer Brandon Cox; deleted and extended scenes; making-of featurette; and cast and crew interviews. (Lionsgate & VVS Films)
The Meddler (DVD)
With a new iPhone, an apartment near The Grove and a comfortable bank account left to her by her beloved late husband, Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon) has happily relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be near her daughter Lori, a successful (but still single) screenwriter, and smother her with motherly love. But when the dozens of texts, unexpected visits and conversations dominated by unsolicited advice force Lori to draw strict personal boundaries, Marnie finds ways to channel her eternal optimism and forceful generosity to change the lives of others. While making new friends, she finds a new purpose in life and launches into an unexpected romance with a motorcycle-riding ex-cop named Zipper (J.K. Simmons).
This story of the unwanted retiree is becoming quite popular in Hollywood narratives. In most cases their families are too busy or self-centred to appreciate what they’re offering so they turn their attention to strangers who are glad to have the help and support. In this case, Marnie begins to tend to all manner of people from a motherless young woman planning her wedding to a young man who needs a ride to his job to lonely hospital patients who enjoy her company. Sarandon exudes a quirky happiness and endless kindness that makes the character both likeable and peculiar. Yet by the end, one can find no reason she shouldn’t continue to shower these people with her charity and the changes she’s made in their lives are immeasurable. Her romance with Zipper provides another layer to the narrative, but although Simmons wonderful it’s almost superfluous to the rest of the narrative.
Special features include: commentary by director Lorene Scafaria and Susan Sarandon; making-of featurette; “The ‘Real’ Marnie”; and gag reel. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Go behind the scenes as music sensation Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) finds his popularity plummeting after a disastrous album release, leaving his fans, sycophants and rivals all wondering what to do when he’s no longer the dopest star of all.
Based on the already popular Saturday Night Live “Digital Shorts” featuring music by The Lonely Island, this film hit the ground running with an audience already interested in what 90 minutes with the outrageous singing group would offer. Fortunately they won’t be disappointed. The first 15 minutes of the film is packed with so much laughter, viewers shouldn’t be surprised to find tears in their eyes. This goes on a little longer before adopting a more sustainable ebb and flow of narrative development and comedy. With the help of a lot of celebrities, this movie uses the absurdity of the music business, and the entertainment industry in general, to its total advantage. There are also far too many cameos to list, but there are undoubtedly some memorable ones, including Tim Meadows, Imogen Poots, Maya Rudolph, Sarah Silverman, Justin Timberlake and producer Judd Apatow.
Special features include: deleted scenes; interview outtakes; bonus footage; six music videos; “How to Donkey Roll”; “Big Boy Freestyle”; “Shooting Hoops”; “’Turn Up the Beef’ Backstory”; “Fun at CMZ!”; and gag reel. (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
Quantico: The Complete First Season (DVD)
Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra) is one of a diverse group of young recruits at the FBI Quantico Base. Despite intriguing personal secrets and complicated pasts, Alex and her fellow “NATs” (New Agents in Training) are the best, brightest, most thoroughly vetted candidates in the U.S., so it seems impossible that one of them could be a traitor. However, when Alex is framed for masterminding the most lethal attack on New York City since 9/11, she must race against time — and betray her closest friends and colleagues — to somehow identify the real culprit and prevent further carnage… because the bomber appears to be working from inside the Bureau.
This is a mystery structured in the same way as How to Get Away with Murder — the series begins with a terrorist attack then moves back and forth in time to present events that led to the current state of affairs. While Alex tries to figure out who is setting her up, audiences are also provided a glimpse of her FBI training, including weapons exercises, mind games and activities to hone their skills as investigators. Of course there are a lot of secrets revealed through these flashbacks, though most of them hold little significance in regards to the current enquiry; rather they establish the personalities of the key players. Spread across a 22-episode season, the story can seem somewhat drawn out; but it’s also interesting enough to maintain viewers’ interest.
Special features include: “Run” video commentary; deleted scenes; “Welcome to Quantico”; “Who did it? False leads, theories and red herrings”; and bloopers. (Walt Disney Studios)
Scorpion: The Complete Second Season (DVD)
America’s favourite geniuses are back! Scorpion is a team of prodigies who use their intellect to solve the world’s deadliest problems. The work with a former waitress who interprets the “normal” world for the team, while they help her understand her withdrawn, genius son.
This season is more of the same as the world is constantly in peril, leaving it up to this group of genius friends to devise solutions to complicated situations and save one or hundreds of lives. Yet even though the weekly premise is constant, the problems they encounter extraordinary and captivating. In addition, there are also the personal dramas including fatal illnesses, near-death experiences, unrequited love and general disagreements. Travelling around the world, working with the government and creating a greater rapport with their handler, the team encounters all manner of terrorist, double-agent, and natural or man-made disasters that often provides personal as well as broader threats and seemingly impossible deadlines. But watching them work and come up with these brilliant plans is the joy of watching the show.
Special features include: commentary on select episodes; deleted scenes; “Quintis”; “Breaking Brilliance”; “Unlikely Heroes”; “Creating Reality: Visual Effects”; “Geeky Gadgets”; “Scorpion: The Comic Book”; “Location, Location, Location”; and gag reel. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)
