It has been a long time coming to see Robert Zemeckis return to live action filmmaking and his drama Flight has pleased audiences and critics. Flight is our Recommendation of the Week and the Blu-ray has a documentary feature about the making of Flight.
First Release
- Flight (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Alex Cross (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Deadfall (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Here Comes the Boom (DVD and Blu-ray)
- A Late Quartet (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Celeste and Jesse Forever (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Side by Side (DVD and Blu-ray)
- So Undercover (DVD and Blu-ray)
Re-Release
- Peter Pan (1953) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- The Ballad of Narayama (1958) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Cabaret (1972) (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Laura (1944) (Blu-ray)
Flight (DVD and Blu-ray) *Recommendation of the Week*
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Written by John Gatins
Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Melissa Leo, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood
After spending a decade making motion capture movies Robert Zemeckis has returned to live action filmmaking with Flight. Nominated for the Oscars Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay Flight tells the story of William “Whip” Whitaker (Denzel Washington), a pilot who becomes a national hero after he miraculously saves passengers from a disastrous crash. The movie takes a twist however when Whitaker ends up being the subject of an investigation after it was discovered he drank before the flight.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 78% (very good)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 7.3/10 (read our review)
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: N/A
Additional Blu-ray Special Features: Origins of Flight The Making of Flight Anatomy of a Plane Crash Q & A Highlights
Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $19.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 4 stars, Video 4.5 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 3.5 stars, Replay 4 stars (out of 5). Recommended.
It is sadly a disappointing week of First Releases. The best release we could find was the documentary Side by Side. Other major releases include the crime-thriller Alex Cross, the dramedy Celeste and Jesse Forever and the comedy Here Comes the Boom. The big re-releases of the week are Disney’s Peter Pan and the musical Cabaret.
Alex Cross (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Rob Cohen
Written by Marc Moss, Kerry Williamson (screenplay), James Patterson (novel ‘Cross’)
Starring: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox
After two movies starring Morgan Freeman, James Patterson’s “Alex Cross” has been given the reboot treatment for a younger actor to star in. The actor filling in Freeman’s place is Tyler Perry, an actor wanting to prove himself out of his “Madea” series. Sadly what we get is a flop at the box-office.
Alex Cross is a criminal psychologist and homicide detective who ends meeting his match in the form of Picassco (Matthew Fox, Lost), a sadistic serial killer who is willing to target Cross.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 12% (awful)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 3.0/10 (read our review)
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Director Commentary; Featurette "The Psychologist and the Butcher: Adapting and Filming ALEX CROSS"; Deleted Scenes
Amazon Price: $14.86 (DVD), $19.86 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 1.5 stars, Video 4.5 stars, Audio 4.5 stars, Extras 2 stars, Replay 0 stars (out of 5). Skip It.
Deadfall (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky
Written by Zach Dean
Starring: Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Charlie Hunnam, Kate Mara, Treat Williams, Kris Kristofferson, Sissy Spacek
From the director of the excellent Austrian movie The Counterfeiters, Stefan Ruzowitzky has moved to Hollywood to make the thriller Deadfall. Featuring an ensemble cast; Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde star as siblings Addison and Liza who are forced to go separate ways after a casino heist goes wrong. Addison causes mayhem in the snow covered country-side while Liza ends up being recused by an ex-boxer, Jay (Charlie Hunnam, Sons of Anarchy).
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 33% (poor)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 5.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Behind the scenes featurettes - Snow & Western and Family; Production Interviews: Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Director Stefan Ruzowitzky; Extended Interview with Director Stefan Ruzowitzky; Behind the Scenes Footage; AXS TV: A Look at Deadfall; Theatrical Trailer
Amazon Price: $12.99 (DVD), $24.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Here Comes the Boom (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Frank Coraci
Written by Allan Loeb, Kevin James
Starring: Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler
Did you think the mixed-martial arts movie Warrior was lacking in prat falls? Then Here Comes the Boom is the movie for you as an overweight biology teacher, Scott Voss (Kevin James) becomes an MMA fighter to save his high school extra curricular programs and along with his friend’s job.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 39% (poor)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 6.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Deleted scenes; Gag reel; Cast featurette
Additional Blu-ray Special Features: Back to school: Henry Winkler shows us his classroom; Learning how to fight - Kevin James gets schooled; Gino vs. Ritchies - a challenge caught on camera; Three amigos - behind the scenes fun with Bas Rutten, Henry Winkler and Mark DellaGrotte; The pros - meet the film's reel MMA fighters
Amazon Price: $16.99 (DVD), $19.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 3 stars, Video 4.5 stars, Audio 4.5 stars, Extras 3 stars, Replay 2.5 stars (out of 5). Rent It.
A Late Quartet (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Yaron Zilberman
Written by Seth Grossman, Yaron Zilberman
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener
In the world of classical movies, a string quartet has had 25 years of success. But when the oldest member Peter (Christopher Walken) is forced to retire due to his Parkinson’s Disease the group starts to fracture to due years of resentment and massive egos.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 73% (good)
Entertainment Fuse Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: N/A
Amazon Price: $15.86 (DVD), $20.86 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Celeste and Jesse Forever (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Lee Toland Krieger
Written by Raisha Jones, Will McCormack
Starring: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg
Written by and starring Raisha Jones (The Office), Celeste and Jesse Forever is a dramedy about a newly divorced couple (Jones and Andy Samberg) who try friendship despite their friends thinking it impossible.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 69% (good)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 7.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Deleted scenes; Two commentaries with Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Will McCormack and Lee Toland Krieger; The Making of Celeste and Jesse Forever; On the red carpet: premiere and Q&A
Amazon Price: $16.99 (DVD), $19.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 4 stars, Video 4.5 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 4 stars, Replay 2 stars (out of 5). Highly Recommended.
Side by Side (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Christopher Kennally
Starring: James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Robert Rodriguez, Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, Keanu Reeves
Produced and led by Keanu Reeves Side by Side is a critically acclaimed documentary focusing on the history and changes to filmmaking as well as looking at the future for the median. Many big name directors, actors and cinematographers are interviewed as they share their thoughts on the process.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (excellent)
Entertainment Fuse Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Deleted Scenes, Presented By American Express; Additional Interviews with Filmmakers
Amazon Price: $20.48 (DVD), $19.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
So Undercover (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Tom Vaughn
Written by Allan Loeb, Steven Pearl
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Jeremy Piven, Mike O’Malley, Josh Bowman, Kelly Osbourne, Lauren McKnight
Miley Cyrus’ slide to irrelevance continues with her latest movie So Undercover only earning a straight-to-DVD release (British cinema goers were not so lucky.) Cyrus plays Molly, a teenage private investigator who gets recruited by the FBI to go undercover in a college sorority to protect a witness.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 7% (awful)
Entertainment Fuse Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: N/A
Amazon Price: $9.99 (DVD), $14.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Peter Pan (1953) (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Clyde Ceronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Written by Milt Banta, William Cottrell, Winston Hibler, Bill Peet, Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Ted Sears, Ralph Wright (screenplay), J.M. Barrie (play)
Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske
Based on J.M. Barrie’s famous play Peter Pan: or, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, Disney’s version is the most famous adaptation. Now Peter Pan is 60 years old and it has been re-released onto Blu-ray. Peter Pan follows Peter as he takes the Darling children to the wonderful world of Neverland. But evil Captain Hook serves as a constant threat as he wants to kill Peter and the Lost Boys.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 84% (very good)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 7.5/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Disc 1 - Blu-ray Feature Film + Bonus; Disney Intermission - Press Pause and See What Happens!; Introduction by Diane Disney Miller; Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scene; Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending; Deleted Songs; Growing Up With Nine Old Men; ; Disc 2 - DVD Feature Film + Bonus; Introduction by Diane Disney Miller; Tinker Bell: A Fairy's Tale
Amazon Price: $22.99 (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo), $27.99 (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)
Score (DVDTalk.com): Content 5 stars, Video 3 stars, Audio 4 stars, Extras 4 stars, Replay 5 stars (out of 5). Recommended. 
The Ballad of Narayama (1958) (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita
Written by Keisuke Kinoshita (screenplay), Shichirō Fukazawa (stories)
Starring: Kinuyo Tanaka, Teiji Takahashi, Yuuko Mochizuki
The re-release from the Criterion Collection this week is the 1958 version of The Ballad of Narayama. Based on a book by Shichirō Fukazawa, The Ballad of Narayama tells of the practice of ubasute where a man is forced to take his 69-year-old mother into the mountains and leave her to die when his village suffers a food crisis.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
Entertainment Fuse Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: New 4K digital master from the 2011 restoration; Trailer and teaser; New English subtitle translation; PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp
Amazon Price: $14.99 (DVD), $21.99 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Cabaret (1972) (DVD and Blu-ray)
Directed by Bob Fosse
Written by Jay Presson Allen (screenplay), Christopher Isherwood (story), Joe Masteroff (play)
Starring: Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Joel Grey, Fritz Wepper
Based on the 1966 Broadway musical of the same name, Cabaret was an Oscar winning movie, including awards for Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor. It was the movie to win the most Oscars without receiving the Best Picture award.
Set in Berlin during the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi Party, Cabaret tells the story of a love triangle between lounge and American singer, Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli), a bi-sexual Englishman, Brian Roberts (Michael York, Logan’s Run) and a rich playboy, Max (Helmut Griem).
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (excellent)
Entertainment Fuse Score: 9.0/10
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Commentary by Stephen Tropiano; Featurette Cabaret: The Musical That Changed Musicals; Vintage Featurettes Cabaret: A Legend in the Making and The Recreation of an Era
Amazon Price: $8.86 (DVD), $18.86 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
Laura (1944) (Blu-ray)
Directed by Otto Preminger
Written by Jay Dralter, Samuel Hoffenstien, Elizabeth Reinhardt (screenplay), Vera Caspary (novel)
Starring: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson
Laura is a highly regarded film noir from renounced director Otto Preminger. Dana Andrews plays Mark McPherson, a New York City police detective assigned the case to investigate the murder of a woman called Laura (Gene Tierney). As he interviews suspects, McPherson creates his own mental picture of the woman and he has to ask who could kill a woman that everyone loves all the while falling for the dead woman himself.
Critics Rating (Rotten Tomatoes: 100% (excellent)
Entertainment Fuse Score: N/A
DISC DETAILS
DVD Special Features: Commentary by composer David Raskin and film professor Jeanine Basinger; Commentery by film historian Rudy Behlmer; Gene Tierney: a shattered portrait and Vincent Price: the versatile villain as seen on biography on the A&E network; Deleted scene; Original theatrical trailer; Extended movie version; The Obsession
Amazon Price: $16.96 (Blu-ray)
Score (DVDTalk.com): N/A
