It’s always an exciting time when Disney opens their vaults to re-release one of their classics, and this week’s DVD and Blu-ray releases are led by one of the company’s most enduring films. But there’s other great new offerings as well — including a live-action version of another Disney favorite, some life-affirming dramas, intense actioners, and so much more. Take a look at what you’ll be watching this week!
The Disney crew worked for four years to animate Felix Salten’s 1923 kiddie lit classic, “Bambi, A Life in the Woods,” resulting in some of the studio’s most memorable characters and unforgettable moments. The beloved woodland tale follows young fawn Bambi–joined by pals Thumper the rabbit, Flower the skunk, and childhood sweetheart Faline–as he overcomes tragic loss, struggles with growing up, falls in love, and faces the many dangers of the forest. Voiced by Donnie Dunagan, Peter Behn.
Disney’s memorable 1991 animated musical take on the classic Gallic fable received a lush, popular, and equally enchanting live-action do-over, as fate brings the lovely and literate village lass Belle (Emma Watson) to a cursed castle whose lord has been doomed by his cruelty and arrogance to live out his days as the hideous Beast (Dan Stevens). Will he–and his coterie of houseservants transformed into housewares–be rescued by the curative power of love? Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson. Kevin Kline, Luke Evans, Josh Gad also star.
In 1948, the African nation of Botswana was still the British protectorate of Bechuanaland–and its royal heir apparent, Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), was a law student in London. At that time, however, Seretse and a white Englishwoman named Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) fell deeply in love…and they would find their union facing bitter public resentments and insidious challenges from the diplomatic corps of two continents. Remarkable historical romance from director Amma Assante (”Belle”) co-stars Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Laura Carmichael.
In 1950s Tuscany, determined nurse Verena (Emilia Clarke) sojourned to an ancient castle, tasked with looking after–and perhaps reaching–the young heir Jakob (Edward Dring), who had fallen mute since the abrupt and mysterious death of his mother. As she settles into her duties and surroundings, Verena becomes convinced that the boy’s trauma has an unearthly cause…and that those same unholy forces are looking to claim her as well. Moody adaptation of the Silvio Raffo novel also stars Marton Csokas, Caterina Murino, Lisa Gastoni, Kate Linder.
Frankie Kitchen (Michelle Rodriguez) was a hit man–and he never had any regrets–but that (and more) would change after he picked off the brother of unethical, unbalanced surgeon Rachel Jane (Sigourney Weaver). After capturing the assassin, the doctor subjected him to sexual reassignment procedures…but the now-hit woman is looking to settle the medical bill with Jane, and everyone around her. Walter Hill’s stylish, controversial actioner co-stars Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia, Caitlin Gerard, Terry Chen.
In the wake of a horrific midair jetliner collision, earnest building contractor Roman (Arnold Schwarzenegger)–devastated by the loss of his wife and pregnant daughter–was far less interested in a settlement than an explanation. Jeff Bonaos (Scoot McNairy)–the air traffic controller whose momentary distraction precipitated the tragedy–lived a waking nightmare between the loss of career, the infamy, and his own crushing guilt. The inevitable intersection of two ruined lives drives this somber, fact-inspired character study; Maggie Grace, Kevin Zegers, Hannah Ware, Glenn Morshower co-star.
The tidy existence of retirement-age divorcé Tony Webster (Jim Broadbent) was rattled when he learned that he’d received an odd bequest…the diary of his best school chum, left to him by the mother of Veronica Ford (Charlotte Rampling), Tony’s college girlfriend. After meeting with Veronica–who lets him know she’s not turning the journal over–Tony’s left to reflect, and question a lifetime’s choices. Adaptation of the Julian Barnes novel co-stars Michelle Dockery, Harriet Walter, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode.
Workaholic Mr. Gallo (J.K. Simmons) thinks a layover in Los Angeles will be the perfect opportunity to spend a little time with his daughter Ginnie (Analeigh Tipton)–until he discovers she’s gone missing. Now, Gallo has no choice but to recruit Ginnie’s quirky ex-boyfriend Martin (Emile Hirsch) for help, setting the stage for a hilariously awkward all night search that sees the mismatched duo forming an unlikely bond as they encounter an increasingly bizarre group of characters. Kristen Schaal, Taran Killam also star in this offbeat comedy.
Sent to a secluded wellness center in the Swiss Alps to bring his company’s CEO back to New York, financial sector up-and-comer Lockhart (Dane DeHaan) finds himself recovering at the facility after an unexpected injury. Now, Lockhart will be forced to experience the spooky spa’s strange goings on, all unsettlingly presided over by the creepy head doc (Jason Isaacs). Mia Goth, Ivo Nandi, Adrian Schiller co-star in director Gore Verbinksi’s stylish chiller.
An urban hospital admits a gravely wounded mystery patient (Jean-Claude Van Damme) in the wake of a shoot-out–and, when a mob of killers follows him into the facility, the carnage continues. As the feds try to piece together the cause of the slaughter with the sole surviving eyewitness, the stunning truth about the fugitive comes to light. Surprising, flashback-structured JCVD actioner also stars Autumn Reeser, Peter Stormare, Maria Conchita Alonso, Daniel Bernhardt, Kris Van Damme.