May gets off to a roaring start with a week of new releases that feature recent releases starring Hollywood’s biggest stars, Oscar-winning films, documentaries, and so much more. Take a look at the DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD titles that are now available!
The Little Things (2021)
Five years after he left the LAPD under clouded circumstances, Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington)–now a rural county deputy–arrived back on a work errand when intrigued hotshot detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) wheedled his aid on a serial murder investigation. Their cat-and-mouse with creepy prime suspect Albert Sparma (Jared Leto) may bring the damaged veteran lawman back to a past he’d prefer buried, in this moody thriller. Chris Bauer, Michael Hyatt, Terry Kinney co-star.
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Busted for interstate car theft in 1966, Chicago teen Bill O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) was offered a clean slate by the FBI if he’d infiltrate and inform on the Illinois Black Panther Party. Swiftly gaining the trust of the organization, and of charismatic state chairman Fred Hampton (Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya), O’Neal would soon regret his choice…but continued his cover through an ultimate betrayal. Fact-based stunner also stars Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Lil Rel Howery, and Martin Sheen as J. Edgar Hoover.
The Virtuoso (2021)
As a make-good to his crimelord mentor (Anthony Hopkins), a hardened hit man (Anson Mount) agreed to take out another contract killer gone rogue. He was informed of the when and the where–5 PM at a sleepy mountain town diner–but the details were cryptic about the who. Can he identify which of the possible locals is his target before he winds up the casualty? Challenging Poconos-shot pulse-pounder also stars Abbie Cornish, David Morse, Eddie Marsan, Diora Baird.
Hemingway: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick (2021)
One of American letters’ most estimable and enigmatic figures receives exhaustive examination in this documentary series from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, as the episodic life and enduring output of Ernest Hemingway are celebrated by recounting both the fact and fancy of his public image and offering excerpts from his writings read by Jeff Daniels. The series is further leavened by the perspectives of literary scholars and unprecedented access to Papa’s original manuscripts. 6 hrs. on three discs.
Atlantic Crossing (Masterpiece)(2020)
In April 1940, Nazi Germany invaded Norway, and the royal family fled for London to govern in exile. Crown Princess Märtha (Sofia Helin) accepted the invitation of Franklin Roosevelt (Kyle MacLachlan) to come to the States…and while the growing friendship allowed her to lobby for American involvement in the war, it also fostered scandalous whispers back home. Historical speculation co-stars Tobias Santelmann, Søren Pilmark, Harriet Sansom Harris.
Hellfighters (1968)
John Wayne stars in this exciting actioner based on the life of famed oil well firefighter Paul “Red” Adair. Fire expert Chance Buckman (Wayne) leads a company of men risking their lives battling oil well blazes around the world. After he is injured and hospitalized, Chance’s estranged daughter (Katharine Ross) pays him a visit-only to fall in love with his closest colleague (Jim Hutton). With Vera Miles, Bruce Cabot.
Speed (4K Ultra HD)(1994)
Electrifying action thriller starring Keanu Reeves as Los Angeles SWAT team officer Jack Traven, who must rescue the passengers on a bus booby-trapped by deranged bomb expert Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper). Payne’s rigged the vehicle to explode if it drops under 50 mph, so now it’s up to Traven and courageous commuter Annie (Sandra Bullock)–who’s forced to hop behind the wheel–to save the day. With Jeff Daniels, Joe Morton, and an amazing array of wild stunts.
Big Fish (4K Ultra HD)(2003)
Tim Burton’s wildly imaginative drama stars Albert Finney as Edward Bloom, a dying eccentric known for spinning larger-than-life tales of his exploits as a young man. When his estranged son (Billy Crudup) returns home to see him, Bloom regales him with a host of outlandish stories, seen in flashbacks, that are so utterly unbelievable that they may just be true. With Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, and, as Finney’s younger self, Ewan McGregor.
The Mallorca Files: Series One (2019)
After a suspect retrieval from the Mediterranean island of Mallorca goes south, London DC Miranda Blake (Elen Rhys) finds herself reluctantly partnering with German detective Max Winter (Julian Loomis)–under the aegis of Palma police chief Ines Villegas (Maria Fernandez Ache)–to tackle cases impacting the continental community. Sun-splashed BBC procedural also stars Tábata Cerezo, Nacho Aldeguer, Alex Hafner, Carlos Olalla, Tanya Moodie. 10 episodes on 3 discs.
Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1994)
This remake of the ’50s AIP musical features Renée Zellweger as Susan, a young teen who decides to open her own rock ’n’ roll club along with a friend to showcase her new band. She encounters stiff opposition, however, when a group of uptight parents who believe that the music is a bad influence on their children try to shut her down. Howie Mandel, Max Perlich, Gerrit Graham, and John Doe co-star; Alan Arkush directs.
Sweet Liberty (1986)
A Hollywood film crew invades the small town of history professor and author Michael Burgess (Alan Alda, who also wrote and directed), whose Revolutionary War novel they’re adapting into a movie. But as his book is being slowly turned into a racy teen comedy, Burgess has his hands full romancing the production’s lead actress (Michelle Pfeiffer). Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, and Lillian Gish co-star in this lively satire.
Trances (Criterion Collection)(1981)
Ahmed El Maânouni’s musical documentary explores the sound and impact of the internationally popular Moroccan acoustic band Nass El Ghiwane, an ensemble that formed in the early 70s and remains active to this day. Their singular style–blending local music, poetry and dance forms, western instrumentation, and socially conscious lyrics–is captured in performance for rapt audiences.
The Hot Spot (1990)
Kinky, contemporary film noir, directed by Dennis Hopper, featuring Don Johnson as Harry Madox, a drifter who exercises his questionable morals when he takes a job as a used car dealer in a small Texas town. Soon, Madox is hopping in bed with the boss’s hot-blooded wife (Virginia Madsen), romancing a 19-year-old girl (Jennifer Connelly) with a dark secret, and planning a bank robbery. Charles Martin Smith, William Sadler, Jerry Hardin co-star.
Cool As Ice (1991)
Waylaid in a small town when one of his bandmates’ bikes breaks down, motorcycle-riding rapper Johnny Van Owen (Vanilla Ice) romances high school honor student Kathy (Kristin Minter), much to her disapproving dad’s (Michael Gross) objection. But a secret from pop’s past could put them all in danger. There’s action, romance, and rap songs galore in this outrageous flick. Word to your mother. With Candy Clark, Deezer D, Dody Goodman.
F.T.A. (1972)
Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland star in this unique documentary account of the “political vaudeville” events staged with the screen stars during the Vietnam War. Designed to shine a spotlight on members of the military who were against the war and inspire dissenters through rousing performances and moving interviews, the film provides a fascinating glimpse into a tumultuous American era.
A Ghost Waits (2020)
For on-the-margins handyman Jack (MacLeod Andrews), his current gig’s to-do list included figuring out why the rental home he was patching couldn’t keep a tenant. He’d learn soon enough that it was the presence of the spectral Muriel (Natalie Walker)–but as he determinedly keeps to his assignment, two lost souls forced into coexistence discover how much they have in common. Darkly disarming fantasy farce co-stars Sydney Vollmer, Amanda Miller.
The Wages of Sin (aka The Price of Sin)(1966)
Filmed on location at the Gynecological Clinic of Zurich, this fact-based exposé was one of the last of the European “birth exploitation” cycle. Two doctors square off over the subject of abortion, and, in the interim, there’s loads of “candid” footage focusing on childbirth, sterilization, birth control pills, and IUDs. Stars Tadeusz Lomnicki, René Deltgen, Margot Trooger, Dieter Borsche. AKA: “The Price of Sin,” “The Doctor Speaks Out,” “The Doctor Says.”
Another Gay Movie (15 Year Anniversary Director’s Cut)(2006)
“American Pie” meets “Queer as Folk” in this hilarious spoof of teen comedies that follows four gay high school pals who make a pact to lose their virginity before they start college. Along the way, the guys must deal with nude celebrities, intimidating sex toys, masochistic teachers, and an erotic encounter with a quiche. Michael Carbonaro, Jonah Blechman, Jonathan Chase, and Scott Thompson star.
Christmas Next Door (2017)
Eric Redford’s (Jesse Metcalfe) dedication to his bachelor lifestyle leaves little room for a Christmas celebration. But when he gets stuck watching his niece and nephew around the holidays, he has no choice but to turn to Yuletide-loving neighbor April (Fiona Gubelmann) for help. As he and April begin spending more time together, Eric starts to appreciate the joys that both Christmas and true love can bring. Brittany Bristow, Jenna Weir co-star in this Hallmark Channel original.
Christmas at the Palace (2018)
In the European nation of San Senova, American ex-pro figure skater Katie (Merritt Patterson) is recruited to help young Princess Christina (India Fowler) stage an ice-bound Christmas show in an attempt to convince the citizenry that her father, King Alexander (Andrew Cooper), loves the holidays. What Katie didn’t count on was striking up a romance with the handsome royal. Can two people from such different worlds really make it work? With Brittany Bristow, Nicholas Banks.
A Veteran’s Christmas (2018)
After serving two tours in Afghanistan, U.S. Marine Capt. Grace Garland (Eloise Mumford) returns to the States just before Christmas. But when a car accident strands her in a small town on her way to Cincinnati, Grace meets Joe Peterson (Sean Faris), the local judge, who offers her his guesthouse while her car gets fixed. They start to hit off, but the presence of Joe’s ex (Miriam McDonald) could make for a less-than-cheery Yuletide. Mary Long, Amanda Lisman co-star in this holiday romance, originally aired Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.