We’re back with another week of you releases. There’s a lot of great DVDs and Blu-rays to choose from that are now available, including several classic films that are making their high-def debuts. Check em’ out, we know you’ll want to add the following to your home video library!
Little Women (2019)
Infusing the 1868 Louisa May Alcott classic with contemporary sensibilities and nonlinear narrative, director/screenwriter Greta Gerwig stylishly recounts the tribulations and triumphs of willful aspiring novelist Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) through her Civil War-era upbringing and enduring bonds with siblings Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh), and Beth (Eliza Scanlen). Great ensemble includes Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Timothée Chalamet, Chris Cooper, Bob Odenkirk, Louis Garrel.
Dolittle (2020)
In this lush family adventure, Robert Downey, Jr. dons the weskit as Hugh Lofting’s Victorian veterinarian with a supernatural gift for chatting up his patients. When the Queen (Jessie Buckley) falls gravely ill, John Dolittle and his animal cohorts face a perilous sea quest in search of the only cure. With Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen; all-star voice cast includes Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, Tom Holland, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, John Cena, Ralph Fiennes, Marion Cotillard, Selena Gomez.
Beau Geste (1939)
This Movies Unlimited favorite stars Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, and Robert Preston as three brothers who join the French Foreign Legion to escape a scandal. In North Africa, they face danger from marauding desert tribes as well as from a sadistic sergeant (Brian Donlevy). One of the greatest adventure epics ever, the film co-stars J. Carrol Naish, Susan Hayward; directed by William Wellman.
Madam Secretary: The Final Season (2019)
When the U.S. Secretary of State is killed in a mysterious plane crash, former CIA analyst Dr. Elizabeth McCord (Tea Leoni) is recruited to replace him. But while McCord has an excellent understanding of the dangers the country faces in the modern world, nothing could have prepared her for the complexities of the American political machine. Tim Daly, Bebe Neuwirth, Zeljko Ivanek, Erich Bergen also star in this taut drama series. All 10 episodes from the final season are included in this three-disc set.
Madam Secretary: The Complete Series
All 120 episodes of Madam Secretary are featured in this collection.
Supernatural (1933)
Bereaved heiress Roma Courtney (Carole Lombard) is contacted by phony psychic Paul Bavian (Alan Dinehart) who claims he can communicate with the spirit of her late brother. During a seance, she is somehow possessed by the vengeance-seeking spectre of a murderess who needs Roma in order to settle an old score with would-be seer Bavian. Occult-tinged suspense tale also stars H.B. Warner, Vivienne Osborne, Randolph Scott.
The Night Clerk (2020)
Young hotel desk jockey Bart Bromley (Tye Sheridan) wanted to work on his stunted social interaction skills…but his means to that end was to electronically surveil the guests. When a patron is murdered and he becomes the primary suspect, he can’t come forward with the video that would clear him–so he must set and spring his own trap for the killer. Taut thriller from writer/director Michael Cristofer co-stars Ana de Armas, Helen Hunt, John Leguizamo, Johnathon Schaech.
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935)
While stationed on the Northwest frontier of colonial India, British army lieutenants McGregor (Gary Cooper) and Stone (Franchot Tone) find themselves the unappreciative watchdogs for their commander’s inexperienced son (Richard Cromwell). Will they be able to bring off a rescue when their callow charge is captured by rebels? Henry Hathaway’s expansive adventure also stars Guy Standing, C. Aubrey Smith, Akim Tamiroff.
Angel (1937)
A lavish comedy-drama of marital strife and desire from Ernst Lubitsch stars Marlene Dietrich as Lady Maria Barker, the bored wife of British nobleman Sir Frederich Barker (Herbert Marshall) who meets handsome American Tony Halton (Melvyn Douglas) in Paris. Sparks fly between Maria and Tony, but they’re shocked to discover that Maria’s husband and her would-be lover were friends during World War I. Edward Everett Horton, Ernest Cossart also star.
Murder, He Says (1945)
Pollster Pete Marshall (Fred MacMurray), stranded in the Ozarks, finds himself up to his ears in homicidal hillbillies, hidden loot, and radium deposits in this delightfully daffy dark comedy. Pete becomes embroiled in the bizarre backwoods Fleagle clan’s search for $70,000 in bank robbery cash stolen by one of their kin. Marjorie Main also stars as Fleagle matriarch, Mamie, and Peter Whitney plays her twin sons Mert and Bert (who’s got a “trick back”); with Helen Walker, Barbara Pepper.
The General Died at Dawn (1936)
In revolution-torn China, the authorities of a province being pillaged by the ruthless warlord General Yang (Akim Tamiroff) anxiously await a delivery of smuggled gold from American soldier-of-fortune O’Hara (Gary Cooper). The canny general, however, has taken pains to provide that both cash and courier will be driven into his grasp. Grand adventure saga co-stars Madeleine Carroll, William Frawley, Dudley Digges; Lewis Milestone directs from Clifford Odets’ screenplay.
Unlikely Angel (1996)
Warm and funny seriocomedy for the whole family stars Dolly Parton as Ruby Diamond, a lounge singer who, upon reaching the Pearly Gates after an auto accident, is sent back to Earth to perform good deeds. As Ruby tries to earn her wings by reuniting a workaholic widower with his family for Christmas, she quickly discovers just how heavenly helping people can be. With Roddy McDowall, Brian Kerwin, Allison Mack, and Gary Sandy.
The Great Leap (1927)
In the peaks of the Italian Dolomites, an athletic and sure-footed shepherdess (Leni Riefenstahl) was always a step ahead of the smitten neighbor boy (Luis Trenker), but she might finally be in danger of falling…for a well-bred young klutz (Hans Schneeberger) arrived on an Alpine skiing retreat. Romantic farce, easily the lightest of leading lady Riefenstahl’s “mountain films” for director Arnold Fanck, also stars Paul Graetz.
Heroes (1977)
A troubled Vietnam vet (Henry Winkler) on his way to California to start a worm farm with his war buddies and a young woman (Sally Field) who’s having second thoughts about her impending marriage become unlikely traveling companions and unexpected friends during a frantic and emotional cross-country bus trip. Harrison Ford also stars in this moving comedy/drama.
Army of Shadows (Criterion Collection)(1969)
The constant struggles–against both the Germans occupying their homeland and their own inner conflicts–of a band of WWII French resistance fighters are compellingly portrayed in this acclaimed drama from director Jean-Pierre Melville (himself a former resistance member). Unseen in America until its 2006 theatrical release, the gripping tale stars Lino Ventura, Simone Signoret, Paul Meurisse, and Jean-Pierre Cassel.
Eddie Macon’s Run (1983)
Eddie Macon (John Schneider) had just come to Texas looking for gainful employment when a run-in with local cops led to trumped-up charges and an excessive prison term. Determined to break jail and rendezvous with his family, his flight makes him a determined enemy in a canny corrections cop (Kirk Douglas). Compelling chase film co-stars Lee Purcell, Leah Ayres; keep an eye out for John Goodman.
Click here for a rundown of all of this week’s new releases.