It has been 30 years since the release of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Universal is celebrating by re-releasing the classic sci-fi movie onto DVD and Blu-ray. We also get a modern sci-fi classic today in Ridley Scott's Prometheus.
First Release
- Prometheus (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Rock of Ages (DVD and Blu-ray)
- The Raven (DVD and Blu-ray)
- A Cat in Paris (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Bedevilled (DVD and Blu-ray)
Re-Release
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Magical Mystery Tour (1967) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Dial M for Murder (1954) (Blu-ray)
- Strangers on a Train (1951) (Blu-ray)
- The Little Shop of Horrors (1986) (Blu-ray)
- The Poseidon Adventure (1972) (Blu-ray)
- The Great Mouse Detective (1986) (Blu-ray)
- Find Me Guilty (2006) (Blu-ray)
- Dead Ringer (1964) (Blu-ray)
- Red Dawn (1984) (Blu-ray)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) (DVD and Blu-ray) *Recommendation of the Week*
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Melissa Mathison
Starring: Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is one of Steven Spielberg’s most beloved movies. Pretty remarkable considering he made Jaws, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan and the Indiana Jones series. This classic sci-fi family movie sees a young boy, Elliot (Henry Thomas) befriend a stranded alien who he helps try to contact his home world.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 98% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.3/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Digitally Remastered From High Resolution 35MM Original Film; Includes DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet (download/stream by 4/30/15); Steven Spielberg & E.T.: In this all-new interview, the director reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with children as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.; Deleted Scenes; A Look Back: A special insider’s look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film; The E.T. Reunion: The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.
Additional Blu-ray Special Features: The E.T. Journals: Featuring behind the scenes footage from the filming of the movie, this featurette gives viewers a unique feeling of being on-set and living the excitement of what it was like to make E.T; BD-Live, My Scenes, Pocket Blu App
Amazon Price: $12.99 (DVD), $17.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 5 stars, Video 4.5 stars, Audio 4.5 stars, Extras 4.5 stars, Replay 4.5 stars (out of 5). DVD Talk Collector Series
In addition to Prometheus, the musical Rock of Ages and the Oscar-nominated animated film A Cat in Paris make for this week's first releases. The re-releases include four thrillers, two from the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, as well as the cult classic Red Dawn and the Disney movie The Great Mouse Detective.
Prometheus (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by Jon Spaihts, Damon Lindelof
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Logan Marshall-Green, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce
The pseudo-prequel to the Alien series, Prometheus was one of the most anticipated movies of 2012: it saw the return of Ridley Scott to the Alien world and to sci fi, had Damon Lindelof of Lost fame co-writing the script and an all-star cast. It was also one of the most divisive movies of the year among audiences.
In 2089, two archaeologists, Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green, Dark Blue) make an amazing discovery and lead a scientific exploration to another planet. Their hope is to discover the origins of man, but they'll have to battle with internal operational politics, a creepy android named David (Michael Fassbender) and worst of all, discover the horrible secrets of an alien race.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 73% (good)
Player Affinity Score: 7.6/10 (read our review)
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: N/A
Amazon Price: $16.99 (DVD), $19.99 (Blu-ray), $24.99 (3D Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Rock of Ages (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Adam Shankman
Written by Justin Theroux, Chris D’Arienzo, Allan Loeb (screenplay), Chris D’Arienzo (musical)
Starring: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Åkerman, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise
Rock of Ages is the adaptation of the Broadway jukebox musical of the same name. Directed by Adam Shankman of Hairspray, Rock of Ages has an impressive ensemble cast, but was a box-office and critical flop.
Featuring songs from artists like Twisted Sister, Poison and Def Leppard, Rock of Ages tell the story of Sherrie (Julianne Hough, Footloose (2011)), a country girl and Drew (Diego Boneta, Pretty Little Liars), a city boy. Both work at The Bourbon Room in Los Angeles as they aim to have a career in the music industry. As the two young adults start a relationship, the rock legend Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) is set to return to the Bourbon Room as moral campaigner Patricia Whitmore (Catherine Zeta-Jones) tries to get the place shut down.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 41% (poor)
Player Affinity Score: 4.8/10 (read our review)
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: 80's Fashion: Dressing A Decade; The 80's Look; Defining A Decade; It's All About The Moves; Defining A Decade; Stripping Miami; Defining A Decade; The Tease; Defining A Decade; Connection to The Music; Defining A Decade; So It Started In A Bar; Defining A Decade; Def Leppard: Live At The Premiere; Any Way You Want It; Visit Florida
Additional Blu-ray/DVD Combo Special Features: Rock of Ages: Legends of the Sunset Strip; The Stories We Sing: Defining A Decade; Selected Songs
Amazon Price: $14.96 (DVD), $17.99 (Blu-ray) $22.99 (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 3 stars, Video 4.5 stars, Audio 3.5 stars, Extras 4 stars, Replay 2 stars (out of 5). Recommended.
The Raven (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by James McTeigue
Written by Ben Livingston, Hannah Shakespeare
Starring: John Cusack, Luke Evans Alice Eve
Recently there have been a few movies featuring fictionalized stories about famous figures. One of them is The Raven, directed by V for Vendetta’s James McTeigue and starring John Cusack stars as Edgar Allan Poe
In 1849 as a serial killer terrorizes Baltimore using Poe’s stories as inspiration, police detective Inspector Fields (Luke Evans, Immortals) recruits Poe to help him in his investigation. Adding to the situation Poe’s fiancée, Emily (Alice Eve, She’s Out of My League) is kidnapped by the killer and buried alive.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 22% (very bad)
Player Affinity Score: 4.3/10 (read our review)
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Closed Caption; Deleted & extended scenes; Audio commentary by director James McTeigue and producers Marc D. Evans, Trevor Macy and Aaron Ryder
Additional Blu-ray Special Features: The raven guts - bringing death to life; The madness, misery and mystery of Edgar Allen Poe; Behind the beauty and horror; The raven presents John Cuasck & James McTeigue; Music for The Raven: the team
Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $22.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
A Cat in Paris (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol
Written by Alain Gagnol
Starring: Dominique Blanc, Bruno Salomone, Jean Benguigui, Bernadette Lafont, Oriane Zani, Bernard Bouillon
A Cat in Paris is an Oscar-nominated animated movie from France about the double life of a cat that by day lives with a young girl and her police officer mother and at night works with a famous jewel theft/cat burglar.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 81% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: "The Many Lives of a Cat" Video Flipbook; “Extinction of the Sabre-Toothed Housecat" Bonus Short Film; Alternate Original French Audio Track with English Subtitles; U.S. Trailer; The Secret of Kells U.S. Trailer
Amazon Price: $24.99 (DVD), $29.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Bedevilled (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Jang Chul-Soo
Written by Choi Kwang-young
Starring: Seo Young-hee, Ji Seong-won
Bedevilled is a South Korean thriller about Bok-Nam (Seo Young-hee, The Chaser), a woman in her 30s forced to go on vacation. Bok-Nam goes to the island Moodo where she use to go to as a child and meets her old friend Hae-won (Ji Seong-won). But Hae-won is the only young woman on the island and has become the plaything for all the men: Bok-Nam sets out to get revenge for her.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): N/A
Player Affinity Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Behind The Scenes; Trailers
Amazon Price: $19.99 (DVD), $24.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Magical Mystery Tour (1967) (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Bernard Knowles, The Beatles
Written by The Beatles
Starring: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison
There have been many movies starring the legendary band The Beatles, but the TV special Magical Mystery Tour was the only movie to be directed by the band themselves as they charter a bus and go on a very surreal adventure.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 55% (average)
Player Affinity Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Director's Commentary by Paul McCartney; The Making of Magical Mystery Tour (19:05); Features interviews with Paul and Ringo, along with other cast members and crew. Includes unseen footage.; Ringo the actor (2:30); Ringo reflecting on his role in the film.; Meet The Supporting Cast (11:27); A feature on the background and careers of Nat Jackley, Jessie Robins, Ivor Cutler, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Victor Spinetti, George Claydon, and Derek Royle.; 'Your Mother Should Know' (2:35); 'Blue Jay Way' (3:53); 'The Fool On The Hill' (3:05); Three new edits of these performances all featuring footage not seen in the original film.; 'Hello Goodbye' (3:24), as featured in Top of the Pops 1967: The Beatles allowed the BBC to film them in the edit suite where they were working on Magical Mystery Tour. This was then turned into a promo by the BBC, who shot their own additional footage. It was then broadcast on Top of the Pops to mark the 'Hello Goodbye' single going to No 1 in December 1967.; Nat's Dream (2:50): A scene directed by John featuring Nat Jackley. Not included in the original film.; Ivor Cutler 'I'm Going In A Field' (2:35): Ivor performs 'I'm Going In A Field', in a field. Not included in the original film.; Traffic 'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush' (1:53): The filming of Traffic acting out their 1967 hit single 'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush' was commissioned by The Beatles for possible inclusion in Magical Mystery Tour but was not used in the final edit.; 8 page booklet
Amazon Price: $15.87 (DVD), $24.88 (Blu-ray), $94.98 (Blu-ray/DVD/double-vinyl EP)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Robert Aldrich
Written by Lukas Heller (screenplay), Henry Farrell (novel)
Starring: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a critically acclaimed psychological thriller based on a novel by Henry Farrell. ‘Baby’ Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) is a former child star who ends up outshone by her younger sister, Blanche (Joan Crawford). As older women they live together in a Hollywood mansion and their relationship takes a turn when Jane accidently runs over Blanche, leaving her in a wheelchair and resulting in giving Jane a lot of power.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 89% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 10/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Closed Caption; ; Commentary by Charles Busch and John Epperson; Three Documentary Profiles: Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition ; All About Bette (Hosted by Jodie Foster) and Film Profile: Joan Crawford; Behind the scenes with Baby Jane; The Andy Williams Show (1962) excerpt featuring Bette Davis)
Amazon Price: $12.99 (DVD), $29.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Dial M for Murder (1954) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Written by Frederick Knott
Starring: Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams
The 3D craze is not a new cinematic trait as it goes back to the 1950s. Even top directors used the technology, including Alfred Hitchcock for Dial M for Murder. Now, the 3D version of the movie is coming out for first time for home release.
Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) is an ex-tennis player who plots the perfect murder after he finds out his wife (Grace Kelly) was having an affair. But when the plan goes awry, Tony has to improvise.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 82% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 8.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Hitchcock newsreel footage
Additional 3D Blu-ray Special Features: "Hitchcock & Dial M" & "3D: A Brief History"
Amazon Price: $13.86 (Blu-ray), $24.99 (3D Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Strangers on a Train (1951) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Written by Whitfield Cook, Czenzi Ormonde, Raymond Chandler (screenplay), Patricia Highsmith (novel)
Starring: Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker
The other Hitchcockian thriller of the week is the critically praised Strangers on a Train, about two men who meet on a train and think they may be able to commit the perfect murder by killing the person the other one wants dead.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 98% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 8.8/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Hitchcock newsreel footage
Amazon Price: $13.86 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
The Little Shop of Horrors (1986) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Frank Oz
Written by Howard Ashman (screenplay), Howard Ashman, Alan Menken (musical)
Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, Levi Stubbs
The 1986 musical Little Shop of Horrors is a remake of the 1963 Roger Corman horror movie of the same name. Seymour (Rick Moranis, Ghostbusters) is a nerdy florist employee who has a crush on his co-worker (Ellen Greene, Pushing Daises). One day Seymour discovers a mysterious plant, but the plant has a thirst for human blood.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 89% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: 7.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Theatrical version of the film with optional commentary; The Director’s Cut featuring the newly restored 20-minute alternate ending; "Frank Oz and Little Shop of Horrors: The Director's Cut," an introduction by Frank Oz with Richard Conway; "A Story of Little Shop of Horrors" (behind-the-scenes documentary); Outtakes and deleted scenes with optional commentary); Two theatrical trailers
Amazon Price: $23.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
The Poseidon Adventure (1972) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Ronald Neame
Written by Stirling Silliphant, Wendell Mayes (screenplay), Paul Gallico (novel)
Starring: Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, Roddy McDowell, Stella Stevens, Shelley Winters
The 1970s was the heyday of the disaster film and The Poseidon Adventure was one of the highlights of the genre. Featuring an ensemble cast, The Poseidon Adventure sees an ocean liner that is capsized by a tidal wave and a group of survivors have to go to the bowels of the ship to escape.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 79% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 6.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: N/A
Amazon Price: $13.95 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
The Great Mouse Detective (1986) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener, John Musker
Written by Peter Young, Vance Gerry, Steve Hulett, John Musker, Ron Clements (screenplay), Eve Titus (original stories)
Starring: Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, Vincent Price, Susanne Pollatschek
The 26th Disney movie, The Great Mouse Detective, was made at a time when Disney was facing tough competition from Don Bluth and is not considered their best movie. But it still boasts solid scores from Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB.
In 1897 London Basil (Barrie Ingham) is the mouse version of Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant investigator who can solve any mystery. One day a brilliant toymaker disappears and his daughter, Olivia (Susanne Pollatschek) asks Basil for his help. It is up Basil, Olivia and Basil’s assistant Dr. Dawson (Val Bettin) to stop the evil Professor Ratigan (Vincent Price), who has a plan to take over London.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 81% (very good)
Player Affinity Score: 6.8/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Disc 1 - "So You Think You Can Sleuth"; The Making Of The Great Mouse Detective; "The World's Greatest Criminal Mind" - Sing-Along Song; ; Disc 2 - Includes all Blu-ray Bonus Features
Amazon Price: $19.96 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Find Me Guilty (2006) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Written by Sidney Lumet, T.J. Mancini, Robert J. McCrea
Starring: Vin Diesel, Peter Dinklage, Richard Portnow, Alex Rocco
Directed by Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men) and starring action star Vin Diesel, Find Me Guilty is a legal drama based on the true story of Jack DiNorscio, a mob boss who conducted his own defense, resulting in the longest Mafia trial in American legal history.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 61% (good)
Player Affinity Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: "Conversations with Sidney Lumet" featurette; Trailer and TV spots
Amazon Price: $15.29 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Dead Ringer (1964) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Paul Henreid
Written by Albert Beich, Oscar Millard (screenplay), Rian James (story)
Starring: Bette Davis, Karl Malden, Peter Lawford, Philip Carey, Jean Hagen
The other Bette Davis thriller is Dead Ringer. Davis plays two twin sisters, one wealthy and evil, the other poor but good. When the poor sister finds out the lengths of her twin’s depravity, it leads to a murder and identity theft.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 100% (excellent)
Player Affinity Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: N/A
Amazon Price: $14.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Red Dawn (1984) (Blu-ray)
Directed by John Milius
Written by John Milius, Kevin Reynolds
Starring: Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey
The 1984 parody Cold War movie Red Dawn is very much a cult classic, having been referenced in South Park, Family Guy and Scrubs. This movie sees the Cold War turning hot when the Soviet Union and Cuba invade the United States, including the small town of Calumet, Colo. A group of high school students escape into the woods and launch guerrilla warfare, becoming a force known as The Wolverines. The remake, starring Chris Hemsworth and featuring a North Korean invasion, arrives in November.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 53% (average)
Player Affinity Score: 7.3/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Scene Selection; Original Theatrical Trailer; Language Options
Amazon Price: $9.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
