Right out of the gate February has a great amount of new releases. Along with recent theatrical hits, there’s a bunch of vintage favorites with stars ranging from Marlon Brando to Dudley Moore making their DVD and Blu-ray debuts this week. We think you’ll agree that this batch of TV and movie new releases offers up plenty of viewing options. Now the only problem is which of these to view first!
The animators at Illumination put their singular spin on Dr. Seuss’ timeless seasonal fable in this hit feature-length frolic, as the mean and miserable green-furred Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch)–weary of the unflagging cheer shown by his neighbors in the town of Whoville–concocts a malicious Christmas Eve plan to steal the very holiday out from under them. With the voices of Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, Angela Lansbury, and Cameron Seely as Cindy Lou Who; Pharrell Williams narrates.
When their bank robber husbands are killed during a job-gone-bad, three widows (Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki) and a recruited driver (Cynthia Erivo) must pull off a dangerous heist in order to pay back $2 million to a ruthless crime boss and politician (Brian Tyree Henry). But all is not as it seems as the ladies realize there was more to their husbands’ fates than meets the eye. Liam Neeson, Carrie Coon, Colin Farrell, and Robert Duvall co-star in this thrilling crime drama.
Charles Chaplin’s final directorial effort stars Marlon Brando as unhappily married American diplomat Ogden Mears, en route to New York from the Far East on an ocean liner, who encounters the beautiful stowaway Natascha (Sophia Loren), a Russian noble turned dance hall girl. He reluctantly agrees to help conceal her–and finds himself falling for her. Romantic comedy features Sydney Chaplin, Tippi Hedren, Margaret Rutherford and, in a cameo playing an elderly steward, Charlie himself.
The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story
Heroine hacker Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy) faces another harrowing challenge when she sets out to safeguard a programmer (Stephan Merchant) and his autistic son (Christopher Convery) when the father’s missile defense override application has placed them in the crosshairs of both the NSA and a covert cadre of Russian cyber-terrorists. American reboot for the Stieg Larsson-created suspense series also stars Lakeith Stanfield, Sylvia Hoeks, and Sverrir Gudnason as Mikael Blomkvist.
For American-born, London-based war correspondent Marie Colvin (Rosamund Pike), there was no deterrent to her pursuit of the truth through the globe’s most harrowing hotspots–including PTSD and the loss of her left eye. The last decade of Colvin’s life, until she became a casualty of the Battle of Homs in 2012, is given a compelling chronicle in this narrative film debut for documentarian Matthew Heineman; Jamie Dornan, Stanley Tucci, Tom Hollander, Corey Johnson, Faye Marsay also star.
The third entry in the loosely connected “Cloverfield” film series is set in the year 2028, a time when the Earth is plagued by a devastating energy crisis. The multinational crew members of an orbiting space station find their attempt to use a particle accelerator to create an infinite amount of energy has transported them to a parallel universe where they face a succession of bizarre and horrifying occurrences while trying to get back home. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Oyelowo, Daniel Brühl, Chris O’Dowd star.
A direct descendent of the Romanovs, Grand Duke Nicholas Wladimirovitch Goduno (Marcello Mastroianni) discovers that a London museum will be staging an exhibition of his family’s crown jewels–and immediately starts plotting to steal them. The crew he puts together for the heist is made up of gorgeous women who, if all goes according to plan, will model the stones at an upcoming fashion show. Comedic caper from the UK also stars Rita Tushingham, Elaine Taylor, Margaret Blye.
Everyone’s favorite multimillionaire drunkard is back again in the hit comedy sequel, as perpetually pickled Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore) looks to make family life with new wife Linda (Liza Minnelli) complete by adopting. But when the vengeful dad (Stephen Elliott) of his jilted ex (Cynthia Sikes) turns the tap on his trust fund, will he be able to make a go of working class life? John Gielgud returns (sort of) as sarcastic butler Hobson; Geraldine Fitzgerald, Kathy Bates, Paul Benedict, Jack Gilford also star.
Shame (Criterion Collection)
With their nation torn by civil war, classical musicians Eva and Jan Rosenberg (Liv Ullmann, Max von Sydow) fled the mainland for a bucolic existence on an island off the coast. However, the conflict has come to the door of the passive intellectuals, and they find themselves questioning their involvement with each other and the outside world as they’re exploited by both rebels and loyalists. Ingmar Bergman’s sobering parable co-stars Gunnar Bjornstrand, Birgitta Valberg.
Sure-shooting farmboy Cass Bunning (Richard Lapp) headed for the untamed West to become a bounty hunter, and wound up rescuing naive Nellie Winters (Anne Randall) from life as a sporting lady. Their attempt to make a life together found them running afoul of Jesse James (Audie Murphy, in his screen farewell) and Judge Roy Bean (Victor Jory). Budd Boetticher’s semi-comic sagebrusher, his final feature credit as director and writer, also stars Robert Random, Burt Mustin, Beatrice Kay.
Knots Landing: The Complete Second Season
Spinning off from “Dallas,” this 1979-93 CBS prime-time soap starred Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark as Gary and Val Ewing, who left Southfork for a new life in the seemingly quiet Southern California title community…and soon found that infidelity, shady business schemes, political shenanigans, and even murder were common occurrences. The ensemble cast included James Houghton, Michelle Lee, Donna Mills, and Don Murray, with later appearances by William Devane, Alec Baldwin, and Nicolette Sheridan. All 18 episodes from the second season are included in this four-disc set.
Working as a bounty hunter for the CIA, ex-military operative Jack Collins (Milo Gibson) is sent to London to help track down McKnight (Elliot Cowan), a rogue agent in the market for a nuclear warhead. The assignment leads Collins to a less-than-happy reunion with old pal Deighton (Joseph Millson), leader of his own private army and McKnight’s hired muscle. Sylvia Hoeks, Gbenga Akinnagbe, and William Fichtner also star in this non-stop thrill ride.
This offbeat “electric western,” loosely based on Herman Hesse’s novel “Siddhartha,” combines a standard gunfight plot with ’60s psychedelia. Cowboys Zachariah (John Rubinstein) and Matthew (Don Johnson) get mixed up with a group of outlaw rockers (Country Joe and the Fish) on their quest to become gunslingers. But a developing rivalry between the two cowpokes could turn into a deadly confrontation. Patricia Quinn co-stars along with the rock band James Gang; co-scripted by the Firesign Theatre.
In 1993, recovering alcoholic journalist Danny Tate (Jamie Dornan) hit the road for L.A. to interview author Gore Vidal. What was supposed to be a side mission–a filler piece on dwarf character actor Hervé Villechaize (Peter Dinklage)–turned into a raucous and unforgettable night’s journey, as the depressed performer bared his soul to the compelled chronicler. Writer/director Sacha Gervais’ portrait of his personal experience co-stars David Strathairn, Andy Garcia, Mireille Enos, Oona Chaplin.
The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella
The legend of Cinderella comes magically to life in this epic filmization of the classic fairy tale, featuring lavish settings and memorable music by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins). Gemma Craven is Cinderella, Richard Chamberlain shines as the handsome prince, and the supporting cast includes such British greats as Edith Evans, Margaret Lockwood, and Kenneth More.
When it comes to comedy, Betty White is queen… a legend, an icon and forever regarded as a pioneer among women throughout the pages of television history. This talented and versatile actress first achieved success in the groundbreaking situation comedy, Life With Elizabeth of which White starred, co-produced and won her first Best Actress Emmy®-award. Another prominent series in her early career was the prime-time series Date With the Angels, which launched Betty into the public eye as one of America’s sweetest and most beloved comedians. This incredible collection features 40 rare and acclaimed episodes from Betty White’s early days in television. Also included in this 4-DVD set is a unique documentary chronicling the fascinating journey of the incomparable Betty White.
The Paul Newman 6-Film Collection
This collection of masterful Paul Newman dramas includes A New Kind of Love, Fat Man and Little Boy, Hud, Nobody’s Fool, Road to Perdition, and Twilight.
Star Trek: 10-Movie Stardate Collection
Discover the Star Trek Universe and experience every unforgettable moment from Kirk’s triumphant return to the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise in Star Trek: The Motion Picture to Picard, Data, and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E’s final battle for control of the Universe in Star Trek Nemesis. The spirit of the Enterprise lives on in the heart-stopping action and unforgettable characters of this brilliant collection.
The Sisters Brothers
During the California Gold Rush, private detective John Morris (Jake Gyllenhaal) tracks scientist Hermann Warm (Riz Ahmed) in order to aid hit men brothers Eli (John C. Reilly) and Charlie Sisters (Joaquin Phoenix) with their task of killing him. But when Morris and Warm become unlikely allies, then, become even unlikelier allies with Eli and Charlie, all four men find their lives taking some unexpected turns. Quirky, darkly comic western, based on Patrick deWitt’s novel, co-stars Rutger Hauer, Carol Kane.
Astro Boy: The Complete Series
The Original Anime Superhero is Back! Blast off with Astro Boy, a state-of-the-art update of Osamu’s Tezuka classic series that started the anime explosion. Filled with exciting action, humor and drama, this new version of the classic series tells the story of a young robot boy modeled after the son of a research scientist. This atomic-powered robot becomes a reluctant superhero who fights for justice and peace – for humans and robots alike!
Lost in Space: The Complete Classic Series
Join the Robinson family, Major Don West, the ever-faithful Robot, and the ever-devious Dr. Zachary Smith as their planned Earth-to-Alpha Centauri journey takes them on an adventure-filled odyssey through space in creator Irwin Allen’s 1965-68 sci-fi series. With Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Billy Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Marta Kristen, and “special guest star” Jonathan Harris. All 83 episodes of the landmark program are included in this 17-disc set.
For a complete list of this week’s new releases, click here.