Animal (Blu-ray)
When plans for a weekend getaway hit a dead end, a group of close-knit friends finds themselves stranded in unfamiliar territory, pursued by a menacing, bloodthirsty predator. Holed up in an isolated cabin, they turn on one another as tensions mount and long-buried secrets are revealed. But when the body count rises, the group must put their differences aside and fight for survival.
This movie combines the cabin in the woods story with a creature feature with relatively good results. Most notable is the monster — a disturbing cross between a rat, bear and possibly wolf — is a practical effect. Using special effects costumes and puppets, filmmakers gave their picture a sense of realism by making their beast tangible. Conversely, the added drama within the group is a little over-the-top with secret affairs and pregnancies. Unquestionably, this movie is strongest when its characters are battling the monster in some way; when things are quiet, the script is a bit weak. One of the most entertaining scenes appears to be an homage to Deep Blue Sea, in which a character giving a speech is suddenly attacked by the creature.
Special features include: commentary by director Brett Simmons; interviews with the cast; behind-the-scenes footage; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)
The Chair: The Complete First Season (DVD)
A competition documentary series that follows two directors, Shane Dawson and Anna Martemucci, through the process of bringing their first feature to the screen. The up-and-coming directors, who have unique backgrounds and skill sets, will be provided with an identical screenplay which they must craft as their own film. The series will document the creation, marketing and theatrical release of the two adaptations. Both directors will be given the same budget, and both versions will use locations in the same city — Pittsburgh. Through multi-platform voting, the audience will determine which director will be awarded $250,000.
For most people, the closest they get to seeing how a movie is made is via the behind the scenes featurettes included as bonus material on home entertainment releases. But that only captures a snippet of the work required to start and complete a feature-length film. For anyone curious about all the additional work that goes into a production, this 10-episode reality series has some of the answers. It also has the advantage of following two very different directors, showing there is no one way to make a film. As with any TV series audiences will undoubtedly gravitate to one personality or the other, joining Team Anna or Shane. But as the show goes on, even that simple preference is shown to be more ambiguous than expected. It’s a rollercoaster for everyone involved, but also a learning experience for everybody on both sides of the screen. In addition the two completed first-time features are included, which is a very satisfying conclusion.
Special features include: both full-length films, Not Cool and Hollidaysburg. (Anchor Bay Entertainment)
Dear White People (Blu-ray & Digital copy)
An eclectic group of black students are trying to navigate a predominantly white Ivy League school. Dealing with the college’s traditions and cliques is hard enough. But after a sequence of events including a controversial student election, an out-of-control party and the arrival of a reality TV producer, once-quiet Winchester University becomes a hotbed of conflict.
It’s not often traditional racism is viewed from so many angles. This picture runs the gambit of situations, even presenting some that wouldn’t immediately cross people’s minds if at all; the party and the fervour of its attendees are of particular note. The actors have a necessary understanding of the film and its purpose. Writer/director Justin Simien isn’t trying to make a Spike Lee film for his feature debut, though there are definite similarities in the way he represents stereotypes and prejudices. White students argue affirmative action, while black students demand the return of segregation (in the context of their house). And yet Simien has written every student as an easily identifiable representative of a specific stereotype to emphasize various aspects of the story. The bonus features are hilarious as they take humour and commentary to the next level of extreme.
Special features include: commentary by writer/director Justin Simien, and cast Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris and Brandon Bell; commentary by Simien; deleted scenes; making-of featurette; “Racism Insurance Skits”; “The More You Know About Black People” (a PSA Web Series); “DVRS App: Black Friends When You Need Them”; “LEAKED: Banned Winchester U Diversity”; “Get Your Life” music video (extended version) by Caught a Ghost; and outtakes. (Lionsgate)
Dumb and Dumber To (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Lloyd and Harry (Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels) go on a road trip to find a child Harry never knew he had and the responsibility neither should ever, ever be given.
It took 20 years for this reunion to occur and true to form, it’s completely absurd. Most surprising is how easily everyone falls back into these ridiculous personalities, when Daniels just wrapped the David Fincher dramatic series, The Newsroom, and Carrey’s last role saw him playing a tough as nails, nearly unrecognizable superhero in Kick-Ass 2. The key to this film’s success was pleasing all the fans of the first film, which the Farrelly brothers do without question. With the return of “Blind Billy” and a cameo by the Mutts Cutts van, they pay tribute to the original while building new memories. With an endless supply of crude and outrageous jokes, fans of the original picture will not be disappointed. There are also great additions to the cast with Kathleen Turner, Laurie Holden, Rob Riggle and Bill Murray.
Special features include: alternate opening; deleted and extended scenes; “What’s so Smart about Dumb and Dumber To?”; “That’s Awesome! – The Story Of Dumb And Dumber To”; and gag reel. (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
Force Majeure (DVD)
A Swedish family travels to the French Alps to enjoy a few days of skiing and to spend some precious time together. However, during a pleasant lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche turns everything upside down. With diners fleeing in all directions, mother Ebba (Lisa Loven Kongsli) calls for her husband Tomas (Johannes Kuhnke) as she tries to protect their children. Tomas, meanwhile, runs for his life. Reality returns to embarrassed laughter, the anticipated disaster having failed to occur, and yet the family’s world has been shaken to its core. Tomas’ unexpected action leads them to evaluate their roles and assumptions, a question mark hanging over the father in particular. With the end of the holiday approaching, Tomas and Ebba’s marriage hangs in the balance as Tomas struggles desperately to reclaim his role as family patriarch.
This is a stripped down picture that forgoes the bells and whistles in favour of an unprocessed emotional depiction of a marriage in conflict. After the excitement of the speeding snow cloud, any sense of enthusiasm is drained from the narrative. The family is rarely pictured together in the frame anymore and in spite of an agreement on a unified front, the fracture between the couple is widening physically and emotionally. Still, the Scandinavian picture has a dry sense of humour that allows for laughter even in this sombre narrative. Kongsli’s portrayal of a woman no longer confident in the strength of her marriage is authentic. Kuhnke captures the mostly silent, masculine response to a situation that he feels questions his manhood, only to counter it with a startling emotional outburst. The honesty of both performances provide the intensity required to complement writer/director Ruben Östlund’s very direct and calculated style.
Special features include: interview with writer/director Ruben Östlund and Johannes Bah Kuhnke; and AXS TV: “A Look at Force Majeure.” (Video Services Corp.)
Nightcrawler (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murders and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cutthroat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling — where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars. Aided by Nina (Rene Russo), a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.
It’s still astonishing that this film only received one Oscar nomination for original screenplay; Gyllenhaal’s performance as the creepy, dedicated videographer is a significant oversight. To achieve the perfect look the actor lost 25 lbs, which along with the chin-length black hair gave his face a thinner, more severe and less welcoming appearance. The film itself is incredibly hypocritical of news media, targeting the unseemly motto, “if it bleeds, it leads.” This critique is only amplified by the immoral behavior of Bloom and the unethical, cutthroat attitude of Nina. Occurring almost entirely at night, the picture is exquisite to look at and expertly executed by writer/director Dan Gilroy.
Special features include: commentary by director Dan Gilroy; and making-of featurette. (Elevation Pictures)
Phantom of the Opera (Blu-ray)
An aspiring opera singer finds herself transported back to Victorian-era London and into the arms of a reclusive, disfigured maestro determined to make her a star. The silver-throated Christine (Jill Schoelen) enjoys success through the arrangements of her new lover (Robert Englund) — until she realizes he’s been committing unspeakably grisly murders in her honour and won’t stop until he’s completed his masterpiece in blood.
It’s difficult not to see this movie as Freddy Krueger does the Phantom of the Opera because the make-up effects are so similar; though it’s not something the marketing steering away from either. In scenes displaying the character’s disfigurement, the comparison is unavoidable. The story itself takes some liberties in order to incorporate a greater horror element, though it’s surprisingly faithful to the source material. Moreover, Englund is afforded the opportunity to demonstrate his acting skills extend beyond the single character for which he’s so well known. Not attempting to disguise its version as a musical, there is one song — his masterpiece — primarily repeated throughout the film. The conclusion is rather interesting as it positions the rest of the narrative as a dream that occurred when Christine was knocked unconscious.
Special features include: commentary by director Dwight H. Little and actor Robert Englund; making-of featurette; still gallery; TV and radio spots; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)
Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series (DVD)
Before Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, There Was Super Sentai Zyuranger. When the sinister witch Bandora is released from her prison after 170 million years, five warriors from an ancient time arise from their suspended animation to once again defend Earth from Bandora and her evil horde. Armed with enchanted weapons and giant robotic deities known as the Guardian Beasts, it’s up to these warriors to defeat Bandora and her monsters before she can exact revenge upon the Earth.
Having watched the American superheroes clad in a spandex onesies more than 20 years ago, it’s quite a revelation to see the original Japanese series that served as its inspiration. It’s not just that the shows are similar, but entire sections of the overseas footage is incorporated into the English version. Rather than recreate the monster battles, they simply re-edited the originals. Though the storylines are generally different after being updated for a Western audience, the villains remained the same which along with the masked defenders allows for much of the crossover footage.
Special features include: “Power Progenitors: Super Sentai Zyuranger” Power Morphicon 2014 Panel. (Shout Factory)
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Blu-ray & DVD)
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady (Chloë Grace Moretz). The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her— but ultimately she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.
With the retirement of Hiyao Miyazaki, the next Studio Ghibli picture needed to be exceptional and on par with the beautiful movies released in the past. Though this film was in production at the same time as the acclaimed director’s swan song, The Wind Rises, it would take longer to complete. But the wait was more than worth it and director Isao Takahata was more than up to the challenge, using his decades of experience making lovely and complex stories. The animated fantasy is stunning, filled with the whimsy and emotion that has long been one of the company’s trademarks. The contrast of Kaguya’s and her parents’ experiences are generally heartbreaking. On the other hand, the impossible quests she gives her suitors and their ridiculous attempts to complete them are very amusing. The conclusion is bittersweet, but the effort and imagination involved in creating the Oscar-nominated film is beyond impressive.
Special features include: “Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya,” an 86-minute making-of documentary; announcement of the completion of the film; Japanese trailers and TV spots; and U.S. trailers. (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)
When Comedy Went to School (DVD)
Why are there so many great Jewish comedians? This documentary answers this question with an entertaining portrait of America’s generation of comics who got their start in the Catskills. This area, often dubbed the Borscht Belt, is where Jewish immigrants transformed lush farmland into the 20th century’s largest resort complex. The comics who got their start here include Jerry Lewis, Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason, Mort Sahl, and Jerry Stiller, all of whom make appearances in the film, as they share hilarious and personal experiences.
Even in a documentary about comedy, one expects a fair amount of the overall film to be comprised of the subjects’ stand-up performances. And while it does deliver on this expectation to some extent, it still feels light on the laughs. Nonetheless, this is an interesting though limited exploration of history that begins in vaudeville and moves to the stages of the vacation resorts and eventually nightclubs. Robert Klein narrates, guiding viewers through the history of the speakers and the profession. For many the archival footage will resonate with their memories of Dirty Dancing, which took place during the same time period. Hearing some of comedy’s greats reminisce is fun, but the film could have been bertter.
Special features incude: newsreel; “She’s More to be Pitied”; Friar’s Club roundtable; “Mrs Schwartz Comes Back” and “The Future of the Catskills.” (Video Services Corp.)
