Beauty and the Beast Signature Collection (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Brave, independent Belle goes on the adventure of a lifetime as she sets out to rescue her father and finds herself in the enchanted castle of a mysterious beast.
In the word of Mrs. Potts, “It’s a tale as old as time” and one that has survived the test of time. Everything about this animated picture is mesmerizing, from the speaking furniture to the unforgettable soundtrack to the unlikely couple who find common ground in equally unlikely places. The film contains some of the most extravagant animated song and dance numbers with “Be Our Guest” sitting at the top of the list. The message that a woman can change a man’s cruel heart isn’t exactly the most politically correct, but it’s difficult for grown-up logic to tarnish such beloved childhood memories. Watching Belle appear in her ball gown for the first time, or the Beast repeatedly risk his life to help her, or Lumiere romance the feather duster and pick on Cogsworth are just some of the fond memories fans cherish and future audiences will continue to enjoy.
Special features include: three versions of the film: original theatrical, special edition and sing-along; “Menken & Friends: 25 Years of Musical Inspiration”; “The Recording Sessions”; “Always Belle”; “#1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty and the Beast”; and 25 fun facts. (Walt Disney Studios)
The Captive (Blu-ray)
Cecil B. DeMille’s thought-to-be-lost 1915 silent film is set during the Balkan Wars. It tells the story of Sonia (Blanche Sweet), a young woman living in Montenegro and left to care for her younger brother Milos (Gerald Ward) and the family farm when older brother Marko (Page Peters) goes off to battle. Unable to handle the day-to-day tasks following her brother’s tragic death, help comes in the form of Mahmud Hassan (House Peters), a captured Turk nobleman and now a prisoner of war. Tasked with helping Sonia, their initial frosty relationship soon melts into love. As the war rages on Sonia, Mahmud and Milos will face near-insurmountable obstacles in their quest for a better life amidst the hell of war.
Before becoming a legendary director thanks to The Ten Commandments, DeMille was a respected silent filmmaker. This narrative is actually quite amusing as Sonia forces Mahmud at gunpoint to lessen her burden by doing her chores alongside the other women in the village. Everyone laughs at the sight of a uniformed-man doing laundry in the nearby river. The story more or less follows convention as Mahmud proves to get along very well with the little boy, and he and Sonia gradually grow fond of each other. Their relationship takes an interesting turn when the army comes knocking on her door and the film has a typically bittersweet ending. At only 50 minutes, this is still a well-fleshed-out story from a master storyteller.
There are no special features. (Olive Films)
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders: Season One (DVD)
More than 68 million Americans leave the safety of U.S. territory every year. If danger strikes, the FBI’s International Response Team is called into action. Experienced Unit Chief Jack Garrett (Gary Senise) knows he can depend on the unique skills of multilingual master Clara Seger (Alana De La Garza), ex-special ops agent Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney), technical whiz Russ “Monty” Montgomery (Tyler James Williams) and medical examiner Mae Jarvis (Annie Funke). From a ritualistic human-hunter in the wilds of Thailand, to a serial slayer in the streets of Paris to an organ harvester in the slums of Mumbai, no perpetrator can escape the combined brilliance of this elite force.
This spin-off from the original, highly successful procedural has big shoes to fill. The regular series’ characters are beloved by fans for their unique personalities and unshakeable camaraderie. Unfortunately, the team in this series lack the charisma that’s drawn audiences back to its predecessor for 12 seasons and counting. Their banter is almost non-existent and they lack individuality, though their passion improves slightly in the latter half of the season. Their cases are also somewhat less engaging, especially in the beginning. This aspect also develops somewhat as the season goes on, but that’s something that should have been a hook from the start. One can only hope the show’s creators and actors continue to become more comfortable, and infuse a second season with more life and excitement.
Special features include: deleted and extended scenes; “Departures”; “Destinations”; “The IRT”; and gag reel. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)
Free State of Jones (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
This is the untold true story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight (Matthew McConaughey), and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy during the Civil War. Despite overwhelming odds, Knight banded together with other small farmers and local slaves and launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi to secede from the Confederacy.
This is the type of harrowing story from the Civil War not seen numerous times before. Beginning on the battlefields, Knight is shown delivering injured soldiers to the hospital where the order of treatment is officers before privates, a.k.a. the poor. When a tragedy sends him home and turns him into a deserter, Knight takes it upon himself to help the people of Jones County fight for what matters to them rather than the wealthy’s right to own slaves. Unsupported by the North, a local brigade of farmers, their wives and runaway slaves fight the Confederate army for their own lives. Meanwhile, the story regularly fast forwards to 85 years later when one of Knight’s descendants is being tried in court because his marriage to a white woman is declared illegal because of his black ancestry due to Knight’s union with a mixed race woman (Gugu Mbatha-Raw). The bonus feature is relatively brief, but gives audiences a fair idea of the impact Knight had on the area and history.
Special features include: “The History of Jones County.” (Elevation Pictures & Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (Blu-ray)
Dr. Bernard Hichcock’s (Robert Flemyng) secret desires and perverse passions lead to the death of his wife, Margaret (Teresa Fitzgerald). Remarrying years later, the doctor’s new bride Cynthia (Barbara Steele) is unaware that her husband intends to use her blood to reanimate the corpse of his dearly departed Margaret.
This narrative follows a common thread in macabre films of the mid-20th century in which a man takes a young a wife, only to torment her with his ghastly secrets. In this case Hichcock was a brilliant doctor making great strides in medicine, but also a bit of a ghoul. Cynthia is convinced she’s being haunted by the ghost of his first wife, but her cries are expectedly chalked up to hysteria and she’s treated with more suspicion than her respectable husband. Yet, of course, there is one young man who wants to help her and the best way to do so is to prove she’s not crazy. Thus the little murder-mystery comes full circle and the rest of the characters are let in on the secret the audience has known from the start — Hichcock is the villain.
There are no special features. (Olive Films)
Labyrinth: 30th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)
A selfish 16-year-old girl (Jennifer Connelly) is given 13 hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue her baby brother when her wish for him to be taken away is granted by the Goblin King (David Bowie).
This film features the work of two great artists: Jim Henson and Bowie. Both men were able to use this picture as an outlet for their creative ideas that didn’t necessarily fit into their other projects. Working with Brian Froud, Henson was able to invent a whole cast of meticulously designed creatures to populate this fantastic yet sometimes dark world. Likewise, Bowie revels in taking a break from life on stage to step in front of the camera as the mischievous Goblin King. Moreover he composed the music for the film, writing original songs befitting of the character and narrative. An ‘80s movie through and through, it’s an enjoyable on so many levels and definitely one that many have held dear over the decades.
Special features include: commentary by conceptual designer Brian Froud; “Inside The Labyrinth”; “The Henson Legacy”; “Journey Through the Labyrinth: Kingdom of Characters”; “Journey Through the Labyrinth: The Quest for Goblin City”; “The Goblin King”; and Labyrinth Anniversary Q&A. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power (DVD)
Kion and his friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands and maintain the Circle of Life. Packed with action, music and fun.
This is a six-episode collection of stories that follows the creation of the Lion Guard in the recently released movie. Led by Simba’s son, Kion, this group of misfits — and most importantly not lions — protects the lands from the persistent and hungry hyenas. However, these episodes deal with a number of other topics. In one, Fuli the cheetah wants nothing more than to spend some time alone, but her friends misinterpret her solitude as loneliness. In another, Ono the egret is injured but refuses to take the time and rest required to heal. Then Bunga the honey badger takes foolish and unnecessary risks because he believes he’s invincible. These aren’t hit-you-over-the-head “the more you now” lessons, but they are still valuable narratives.
There are no special features. (Walt Disney Studios)
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Now that Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Rose Byrne) have a second baby on the way, they are ready to make the final move into adulthood: the suburbs. But just as they thought they’d reclaimed the neighbourhood and were safe to sell, they learn that the new occupants next door are a hard–partying, out-of-control sorority, led by Shelby (Chloe Grace Moretz). Mac and Kelly are forced to team up with their charismatic ex-neighbor and now secret weapon, Teddy (Zac Efron), since the ladies of Kappa Nu aren’t going down without a fight. It’s parenthood vs. sisterhood when the new neighbors assert their right to party just as hard as the boys.
This film operates on the general premise that if guys can do it, girls can do it better. Shelby and her friends are appalled by the sexist rules applied to sororities, which are not allowed to host parties and consequently forced to attend the chauvinistic fraternity events. Therefore they decide to start their own, off-campus sorority that doesn’t have to conform to the stuffy conventions of other houses. Their search for a home brings them to a down-and-out Teddy’s old house, who agrees to help them realize their dream — until he realizes they’re far more dangerous than his brothers and switches sides. This movie isn’t quite as funny as its predecessor, but generally because the girls often cross the line into illegal territory due to their apparent extra immaturity. There’s still a feel good story buried under all the drugs and robbery, but it can be a little difficult to parse out. That said, the inappropriate use of airbags never gets old in this context.
Special features include: commentary by co-writer/director Nicholas Stoller and producer James Weaver; deleted scenes; “Nu Neighbors”; “The Prodigal Bros Return”; “Girls Rule”; “The Ultimate Tailgate”; line-o-rama; and gag reel. (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
Twin Peaks: The Original Series, Fire Walk With Me & The Missing Pieces (Blu-ray)
The series follows the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town who are stunned after the homecoming queen Laura Palmer is suddenly found murdered. The investigation that follows engenders an eerie chain of events with cataclysmic results felt across the entire town. Although shot after the series ended, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is the prequel to the television series and focuses on the seven days leading up to Laura Palmer’s death, while The Missing Pieces consists of nearly 90 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes.
In 1990, filmmaker David Lynch took his bizarre style of storytelling to the small screen. It’s not entirely surprising the series only lasted two seasons with broadcasters demanding certain narrative concessions in the final chapter, but the first installment is pure in its conception. As in Blue Velvet, Lynch once again attempts to pull back the curtain concealing the seedy underbelly of a small town; he even recasts MacLachlan in a key role as the FBI agent assigned to investigate the murder that creates endless ripples. Everyone that knew Laura fancies themselves a detective so there are several investigations occurring simultaneously, although only one is official. As the season continues the series begins to take on more campy soap opera qualities, culminating in the repeated slapping of a character immediately followed by a passionate kiss. The Log Lady intros are an added element of bizarre that set-up each episode.
There are no special features. (Paramount Home Media Distribution)
Yours, Mine and Ours (Blu-ray)
When Navy officer Frank Beardsley (Henry Fonda) meets nurse Helen North (Lucille Ball) — with a little help from mutual friend Darrel Harrison, played by Van Johnson, Brigadoon — there’s an undeniable attraction although both are apprehensive about any potential romantic involvement, having recently lost their spouses leaving them responsible for raising ten children and eight children respectively.
In spite of being meant for each other, the prospect of only two parents managing a house of 18 children is absurd in theory and practice. Frank applies his military organization skills in an attempt to create a household that runs like a well-oiled machine. Helen, on the other hand, does her best to make the assembly line a home and care for all of the children the best she can. The comedy is typically generated by the ensuing chaos of having such a large household. Just watching the newlyweds do grocery shopping is a riot as they grab dozens of each item and fill several shopping carts for just a week of supplies. One has to wonder how they pay for everything since their house is also enormous by necessity. Logistics aside, it’s an enjoyable picture with likeable characters and an expectedly heartwarming ending.
There are no special features. (Olive Films)
