“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” Leads This Week’s DVD/Blu-ray Releases

December rolls on with a fantastic batch of new releases — from action-packed blockbusters to TV favorites completing their DVD set runs. Check out what’s now available!

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

When the British espionage organization Kingsman’s headquarters are destroyed, Agent Eggsy Unwin (Taron Egerton) travels to the U.S. where he teams up with the American spy service known as Statesman. Also joined by not-so-dead-after-all former mentor Harry Hart (Colin Firth), Eggsy must prevent a deadly toxin from being spread around the world by Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), leader of the terrorist group The Golden Circle. Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges co-star in this action-packed comic book-based sequel.

Detroit

In 1967, during Detroit’s racially motivated 12th Street riot, a report of gunshots fired caused police to raid the Algiers Motel. Local African American security guard Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega) becomes caught up in a dangerously intense situation as a racist white cop (Will Poulter) leads fellow officers in a brutal interrogation on several black men and two young white women at the motel. Based on a true story, Kathryn Bigelow’s searing drama also stars Algee Smith, John Krasinski, Anthony Mackie.

Home Again

Election (The Criterion Collection)

Lacerating satire with Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister, a popular Omaha high school history teacher whose animosity towards determined, goody two-shoes student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) leads him to influence the election for class president towards her dumb jock rival. McAllister’s actions lead to a series of disastrous events…which culminate in personal and professional embarrassment. Director Alexander Payne’s adaptation of Tom Perrotta’s novel co-stars Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell.

Viceroy’s House

Installed as Britain’s final Viceroy of India in 1947, Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) was charged with overseeing the transition to independence from the crown, as well as the religion-based populace migrations between the nation and the newly-formed Pakistan. His optimistic hopes for ordered change would run aground on the machinations of British diplomacy, as tellingly told in director Gurinder Chadha’s knowing chronicle; Gillian Anderson, Michael Gambon, Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, Simon Callow also star.

Legend of the Lost

Thrilling adventure saga about grizzled soldier-of-fortune Joe January (John Wayne), who’s hired to guide treasure hunter Paul Bonnard (Rossano Brazzi) through the Sahara Desert in search of some long lost loot. With a beautiful prostitute (Sophia Loren) along for the ride, the men find themselves battling for her affection, leading Bonnard to plan a double-cross once he gets his hands on the riches. Directed by Henry Hathaway.

Brannigan!

All veteran Chicago cop Lt. Jim Brannigan (John Wayne) had to do was jet to London and pick up a fugitive gangster (John Vernon) being held for extradition. When the hood is snatched by kidnappers, though, the detective is determined to get him back. Now, not only will Brannigan have to deal with a hit man sent to kill him, but also with a stuffy local police official (Richard Attenborough) who disapproves of his methods (and his revolver). Sunset actioner for the Duke co-stars Judy Geeson, Mel Ferrer.

Code of Silence

Chuck Norris scores big in this thrilling actioner, playing a tough Chicago detective caught in the middle of a violent war between two drug-dealing gangs. When Sgt. Eddie Cusack (Norris) refuses to take part in a cover-up of an alcoholic cop’s deadly mistake, he suddenly becomes an outcast, forced to battle both sides by himself. His only help comes in the form of a high-tech robot police tank called the Prowler. With Henry Silva, Bert Remsen, Dennis Farina.

Platoon Leader/Soldier Boyz

First, in Platoon Leader (1988), fresh out of West Point, Lt. Jeff Knight (Michael Dudikoff) was sent to Vietnam…and was quickly dismissed by the grizzled platoon grunts he was assigned to lead. After surviving a hail of VC bullets, he proves he understands more about warfare than was in the textbooks, and earns his men’s respect. Gritty Cannon Films battle saga co-stars Robert F. Lyons, Michael DeLorenzo. Then, in Soldier Boyz (1995), ex-military officer-turned-juvenile warden Howard Toliver (Michael Dudikoff) has a unique rehabilitation program for the dangerous gang kids in his custody, namely, recruiting them as soldiers of fortune for a search-and-rescue job in Vietnam. All-out actioner co-stars Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Don Stroud.

Simon & Simon: The Final Season

Rick Simon (Gerald McRaney) was a Vietnam veteran who favored cowboy hats and pick-up trucks. His younger brother A.J. (Jameson Parker) was a law school grad with a penchant for fine suits and sleek cars. Working together as private detectives, these very different brothers solved some of the San Diego area’s most baffling crimes, in this hit 1981-89 CBS series. Mary Carver also starred. All 13 episodes from the final season are featured in this three-disc set.