July is upon is, and over the next couple of days you will likely be spending some time barbecuing with friends and family. But if the heat gets to me too much for you, head inside and throw on a movie or two. In fact, we’ve got some suggestions for you, as a number of great DVDs and Blu-rays have just been released. Check out what titles are now ready for your viewing pleasure!
Dietrich & Von Sternberg in Hollywood (The Criterion Collection)
This lavish release from The Criterion Collection showcases the powerful collaboration between director Josef Von Sternberg and star Marlene Dietrich. Six-disc set includes Morocco, Dishonored, Shanghai Express, Blonde Venus, The Scarlet Empress, and The Devil Is a Woman. Featuring breathtaking digital restorations of each picture and a variety of special features — including documentaries, interviews, bonus shorts, The Legionnaire and the Lady, a 1936 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of Morocco, featuring Dietrich and actor Clark Gable, and much more — this package is an essential additional to any film lover’s library.
In the early ‘70s, U.S. diplomat Mason Skiles (Jon Hamm) saw his ambassadorial stint in Lebanon end with a devastating family tragedy. A decade later, with his CIA operative friend Cal Riley (Mark Pellegrino) kidnapped, he found himself shuttled back to a place he never wanted to see again…and forced to reopen old wounds during a dicey dance with the Israelis and PLO in order to obtain Cal’s safety. Crackling, fact-inspired geopolitical thriller co-stars Rosamund Pike, Dean Norris, Larry Pine, Shea Whigham.
Psych: The Complete Collection
Debuting on USA in 2006, this comedy/mystery series chronicles the madcap misadventures of Shawn Spencer (James Roday), a detail-oriented sleuth who poses as a psychic to use his incredible observational powers to help the police solve crimes. With the reluctant assistance of his best friend, Gus Guster (Dulé Hill), he attempts to crack cases while skeptical detective Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) watches his every move. Co-stars Corbin Bernsen, Maggie Lawson. This 32-disc set includes all episodes from the series as well as Psych: The Movie and The Musical.
Shark Week: Sharktacular Adventures
Olympian legend Michael Phelps racing against sharks is just one the wild, exciting and terrifying events that make up 2017’s Shark Week! From in-depth scientific studies to insane stories of shark attacks, this year’s set of shark tales does not disappoint. 18 episodes on 3 DVDs.
Mitchell (John Cena), Lisa (Leslie Mann), and Hunter (Ike Barinholtz) had comprised a support system since their respective daughters (Geraldine Viswanathan, Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon) bonded as besties back in first grade. Well, now it’s the night of senior prom–and when they inadvertently tumble upon the girls’ mutual pact to lose their virginity, the horrified hover-’rents have a hilarious chase to get them straight home! Graham Phillips, Ramona Young, Miles Robbins, Sarayu Blue also star.
Her posh life upended when she discovered the long-term affair between her husband and best friend, upper-crust Sandra Abbott (Imelda Staunton) fled for the only safe harbor she had–the bohemian flat of her free spirit big sister Bif (Celia Imrie). Between joining in Bif’s community senior dance class and the attentions of a kind handyman (Timothy Spall), she might yet find herself back in step. Endearing ensemble effort also stars Joanna Lumley, David Hayman, John Sessions, Josie Lawrence.