Cause this is thriller! Sorry, but the new Blu-rays and DVDs that are now available are really something to sing about. Check out the following titles that you’ll want to add to your video library!
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Director Mike Flanagan’s fright-packed filming of Stephen King’s novel–the long-awaited follow-up to “The Shining”–also serves as a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror fave. Ewan McGregor stars as a grown-up Danny Torrance, who must stop an immortality-obsessed cult from killing Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran), a teenage girl who possesses the same psychic powers that he does. With Rebecca Ferguson, Carl Lumbly, Zahn McClarnon.
Last Christmas (2019)
Be it relationships, career, or a recent health crisis, Londoner Kate (Emilia Clark) has never had the best of luck. However, during her current gig clerking at a year-round Christmas shop, she caught the eye of gallantly charming Tom (Henry Golding)…and as the meet-cute winds into a relationship, she’ll come to understand the reason for their instant affinity. Paul Feig’s romantic charmer, leavened by George Michael standards, co-stars Emma Thompson (who co-wrote), Michelle Yeoh, Patti LuPone.
The Good Liar (2019)
Aging grifter Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen) was looking for the big score that would set up his retirement, and he thought it arrived when he made the online acquaintance of recently widowed, wealthy, and ailing Betty McLeish (Helen Mirren). Charming his way into her life–and past the objections of her wary grandson (Russell Tovey)–he might ultimately find his last con job to have an unexpected uptake. Bill Condon’s riveting read on the Nicholas Searle thriller also stars Jim Vincent, Mark Lewis Jones.
The Oscar (1966)
On awards night, as callous movie star Frankie Fane (Stephen Boyd) sweated out the Best Actor announcement that could save his stalled career, estranged buddy Hymie Kelly (Tony Bennett) reflected on all of the many friendships and lives that the thoughtless thespian stepped on as he climbed the industry ladder. Glossy, guilty-pleasure backlot sudser also stars Elke Sommer, Jill St. John, Milton Berle, Joseph Cotten, Eleanor Parker, Ernest Borgnine, and loads of cameos.
Sandition (Masterpiece)(2019)
Sussex country girl Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) made the intrigued acquaintance of Mary and Tom Parker (Kate Ashfield, Kris Marshall)–entrepreneurs who wanted to transform their quiet fishing village into a vacation destination–and agreed to be their summer guest. Her dealings with the surprising attitudes of the locals fuel this ITV miniseries spun from Jane Austen’s final, unfinished novel; Theo James, Anne Reid, Crystal Clarke, Jack Fox, Charlotte Spencer, Lily Sacofsky also star.
The Nightingale (2019)
In 1820s colonial Australia, the fates of young Irish convict Clare (Aisling Franciosi) and her family depended on the suspect mercies of abusive British officer Hawkins (Sam Claflin)…and one awful night, he took everything from her. She engaged the help of Aboriginal tracker Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) to follow Hawkins and his cronies on an overland trek that would prove fateful for all involved. Intense vengeance saga from Jennifer Kent (“The Babadook”) co-stars Damon Herriman, Ewen Leslie.
Waves (2019)
Florida high school wrestler Tyler (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) knew affectionate bonds with his tough-loving dad (Sterling K. Brown), sister (Taylor Russell), and girlfriend (Alexa Demie). However, he was also concealing an injury that could derail his scholarship dreams…and the unexpected ripples after its emergence would devastate those closest to him for years. Trey Edward Shults’ remarkable and affecting study co-stars Lucas Hedges, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Clifton Collins, Jr.
The House That Jack Built (2018)
This expectedly disturbing digression into the mind and soul of a serial killer from director Lars Von Trier follows cerebral, OCD-afflicted murderer Jack (Matt Dillon) as he matter-of-factly recounts a quintet of his most heinous acts from over a decades-long career to a dapper and mysterious confessor answering to “Verge” (Bruno Ganz). Unsettling and graphic effort also stars Uma Thurman, Riley Keough, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Sofie Grabol, Jeremy Davies.
Playing with Fire (2019)
Northern California smokejumper Jake Carson (John Cena) and his second-string company of castoffs (Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Tyler Mane) got deserved applause when they extracted three kids from a burning cabin. But with the rambunctious rescuees being their responsibility until the parents can be found, now is when the flustered firefighters would appreciate a hand! Four-alarm family farce also stars Judy Greer, Dennis Haysbert.
Arctic Dogs (2019)
At the Arctic Circle’s most prestigious delivery service, mailroom grunt snow fox Swifty (voiced by Jeremy Renner) dreamed of being promoted to courier. He got his chance–only the parcel he delivered was the last component that a world-conquering walrus (John Cleese) needed to melt the polar cap! Can Swifty and his oddball office mates overnight an end to the scheme? Fun animated entry also features the voices of Heidi Klum, Alec Baldwin, James Franco, Anjelica Huston, Michael Madsen.
My One & Only (2019)
Scuffling as she was with career and romance, corporate headhunter Stephanie (Pascale Hutton) shrugged and went with it when bestie Lisa (Amy Groening) put her up as a contestant on a reality dating series. Settling in at the Wyoming ranch that served as the show’s season setting, the single guy (Stephen Huszar) she was matched with seemed nice…but what about the sparks she was feeling with her handsome host (Sam Page)? Hallmark charmer co-stars Rhonda Dent.
Rabid (2019)
Very ordinary fashion designer Rose (Laura Vandervoort) felt out of place in her glamorous profession…and then she became involved in a disfiguring motorcycle accident. Shadowy surgeons approach her for untested stem-cell therapy–and while the treatment renders her gorgeous and confident, some sanguinary side effects are going to emerge. Diabolic do-over for the Cronenberg body horror staple from Jen and Sylvia Soska co-stars Benjamin Hollingsworth, Phil (C.M. Punk) Brooks.
Evil Ed (1995)
Mild-mannered film editor and family man Eddie Tor Swenson (Johan Rudeback) was proud and content with his lot working on prestigious art movies. Unfortunately, the studio suits reassigned him to the graphic horror opuses that paid the bills…and now, the endless hours spent with violent imagery have him ready to cut more than just celluloid! Demented Sweden-shot scarefest also stars Per Löfberg, Olof Rhodin, Camela Leierth.
Brain Damage (1988)
Written and directed by goremeister Frank Henenlotter (“Basket Case”), this offbeat horror comedy focuses on a bored New York City guy whose life turns around when he becomes attached to a talking parasite who gets him high. In order to maintain his buzz, he begins a murderous rampage to ensure his new pal’s hunger for human brains is satisfied. Rick Hearst, Gordon MacDonald, Jennifer Lowry star.
Click here for a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases!