The first week of September is always a bit of a bummer. Summer is over, school is back in session, and vacations are a distant memory. Thankfully, movies are eternal. If you are feeling sad about the season that has just passed (even though it’s technically not over yet), at least you can always find comfort by watching a great film. We’ve got plenty of those this week that are making their DVD and Blu-ray debuts. See for yourself what new releases will help you shake the post-summer blues!
A childhood encounter with an alien–and a sighting of the mysterious Men in Black–has led Molly (Tessa Thompson) to spend the last two decades trying to find the elusive agency’s headquarters. When she actually does, she’s invited to join the team. As Agent M, she’s paired with maverick veteran Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) on a mission involving extraterrestrial attacks and a possible mole inside the MIB. Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson co-star in this fun-filled sequel/soft reboot.
When a group of small-town high schoolers buttonholed middle-aged veterinary aide Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer) to make a package store purchase, they were pleasantly surprised when the older woman offered up her home as a regular safe zone for them to party. However, it slowly becomes obvious that their clingy and demanding hostess has her issues…and when she snaps, the surprises will be anything but pleasant. Distinctive chiller co-stars Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, Allison Janey, Missi Pyle.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!: The Complete Series
You know we got a mystery to solve, so Scooby-Doo get ready for your act. Hop in the Mystery Machine with the world’s most terror-shaken, Scooby snack-loving canine and those “meddling kids,” Shaggy, Freddy, Daphne, and Velma, for fantastic frights and fun in these classic Hanna-Barbera animated adventures that originally aired from 1969-70. Season 3 aired from 1978-1979 as part of the “Scooby’s All-Stars” block of cartoons. Voices by Don Messick, Casey Kasem, Frank Welker. Packaged in a Mystery Mansion replica, this limited edition four-disc set showcases all 41 episodes of the series and also includes the book “Scooby-Doo! Encyclopedia” and an exclusive Funko Scooby-Doo keychain.
Dumbstruck as they watch far less industrious classmates land just-as-prestigious college placements, hyper-achieving high schoolers Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) decide that they’re entitled to one night’s cutting loose. Their attempt to crash a cool kids’ party and own up to their secret crushes, though, hits a series of increasingly chaotic snags. Incisively funny directing debut from Olivia Wilde also stars Skyler Gisondo, Billie Lourd, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte.
Timid London bank clerk Henry Holland (Alec Guinness) would gladly steal a fortune in bullion…if he could only figure out a way to get it out of the country. Enter Alfred Pendlebury (Stanley Holloway), a foundry owner who teams with Henry for a daring scheme that involves melting the gold down and disguising it as miniature Eiffel Tower souvenirs. Hilarious Oscar-winning comedy also stars Alfie Bass, Sidney James; look for a young Audrey Hepburn in the opening scene.
Born to a lifetime’s struggle after his mother was disinherited by her aristocratic kin for marrying his father, Louis D’Ascoyne Mazzini (Dennis Price) vowed that he’d someday hold the familial title of Duke of Chalfont…and if he had to successively knock off eight relatives (each played by Alec Guinness, in a tour de force performance) with prior claim, then so be it. Wickedly funny black comedy from Ealing Studios also stars Valerie Hobson, Joan Greenwood, Hugh Griffith.
Determined textile chemist Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness) finally realized his ambition of creating an indestructible fabric that resists all stains and tears. The celebration is short-lived, however, once both clothing industry management and labor realize the bottom-line implications of garments that never wear out–and then set out to squelch his discovery by any means necessary. Classic farce from Ealing Studios also stars Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker, Michael Gough, Ernest Thesiger, Vida Hope.
Batman: 80th Anniversary 18-Film Collection
80 years, Gotham City has been a haven to the world’s most notorious criminals and only one man has defeated them at every turn: Batman. The Joker, Penguin, Harley Quinn and a host of other vile villains have all been thwarted by the Dark Knight. Join Robin, Catwoman, Jim Gordon and more as DC celebrates 80 years of the Caped Crusader with this 18-film collection of animated features.
One by one, five individuals felt the compulsion to enter a creepy old movie theater…and once inside, the film palace’s pernicious projectionist (Mickey Rourke) forced them to watch their most personal terrors as they played out on-screen. Pulse-pounding portmanteau offers segments directed by Mick Garris, Joe Dante, David Slade, Alejandro Brugués, and Ryuhei Kitamura; Richard Chamberlain, Annabeth Gish, Patrick Wilson, Elisabeth Reaser, Maurice Benard star.
Fists in the Pocket (Criterion Collection)
Epileptic Allesandro (Lou Castel) felt guilty that his big brother Augusto (Marino Masé)should be burdened with his care, as well as that of their two similarly afflicted siblings and blind mother. His remedy, though, involved disposing of the infirm clan–including himself–one by one. Family dysfunction has rarely been as bleak–or as memorable–as in this landmark debut effort from writer/director Marco Bellocchio. Paola Pitagora, Liliana Gerace, Pier Luigi Troglio also star.
Fearsome follow-up to “The Woman” finds the feral cannibal female (Pollyanna McIntosh, who wrote and directed) depositing Darlin’ (Lauren Canny)–the now-teenaged last survivor of her adoptive wild-child brood–to a hospital for care. As Darlin’ is given over to a church boarding school for rehabilitation, her assimilation hits a violent snag when the Woman returns to reclaim what is hers. Sanguinary and satirical shocker also stars Nora-Jane Noone, Bryan Batt, Cooper Andrews, Maddie Nichols.
In this lighthearted Hallmark comedy, Alex (Lindy Booth), an exec with a major outdoor sporting goods retailer, must convince Josh (Wes Brown) to sell her company his ranch so they can use it for their retreats. Alex quickly finds herself caught up in all sorts of personal and professional trouble as she starts to hit it off with Josh–who is unwilling to make a deal unless the history of the property is protected. With Natalie Lisinska, Cherion Drakes, Dean Redman.
Click here for an overview of all of this week’s new releases.