With the holidays just around the corner, the time is now to get your shopping done and avoid the rush. And what better gift that movies and TV shows? As you’ll see below, the latest new releases include some recent box office hits, several W.C. Fields classics and favorites from the Warner Archive Collection, TV season sets and so much more. Take a look at the new titles that are now available!
Respect (2021)
Jennifer Hudson was Aretha Franklin’s handpicked choice for a biopic portrayal, and she justified the faith with a knockout effort as the Queen of Soul. This compelling film focuses on Aretha’s life from the early ’60s to the early ’70s, as she found her footing as a recording artist despite the successive heavy hands of her legendary minister father (Forest Whitaker), then first husband/manager Ted White (Marlon Wayans). Audra McDonald, Titus Burgess, Marc Maron co-star.
Muhammad Ali: A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon (2021)
A dynamic force both within the ring and without, ever candid and controversial, Muhammad Ali became one of his era’s most consequential personalities as well as athletes–and his legend and legacy receive perhaps their most extensive documentary consideration in this four-part series from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon. The observations of journalists, historians, and Ali’s family and confidantes pair with archival footage for a compelling portrait of The Greatest.
Reminiscence (2021)
In a near-future, below sea-level Miami, Nick Bannister (Hugh Jackman) offered his clientele a respite from a bleak present through technology that would immerse them in simulations of their past. Hired by the glamorous and mysterious Mae (Rebecca Ferguson), he’d find himself falling for her…but when he unexpectedly stumbled onto her secrets, the resulting peril was anything but illusory. Lisa Joy’s stylish fantasy-thriller also stars Thandiwe Newton, Cliff Curtis, Marina de Tavira.
A Goodwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love (2020)
Fifteen years ago, Margie (Brooke D’Orsay) and Pat (Sam Page) were high school sweethearts, but when a job opportunity called him to Hawaii, she wouldn’t uproot. Today, she’s a driven businesswoman weighing her relationship with a co-worker (Zahf Paroo)…he’s a divorced dad, come home with his sons for a fresh start…and they just pulled up to the same stoplight. Third fact-inspired holiday romance also stars Michele Scarabelli, Anita Brown, Brenda Crichlow.
A Cookie Cutter Christmas (2014)
A disastrous Christmas pageant experience when they were children made Christie (Erin Krakow) and Amanda (Miranda Frigon) bitter rivals for years…and their enmity looks to be heating up once more when the school they both teach at announces a cookie baking competition judged by a celebrity chef (Alan Thicke). Things get even more personal when Christie gets close to a widower (David Haydn-Jones) and his young daughter (Genae Charpentier). With Laura Soltis, Jill Morrison.
Christmas in Homestead (2016)
Movie star Jessica McEllis (Taylor Cole) was all jitters about her first producing credit–a seasonal rom-com shot in the small Iowa town of Homestead. Local mayor, innkeep, and widowed dad Matt Larson (Michael Rady) wanted nothing to do with the buzz and bother that the production generated. Once they clash, is there any doubt there’ll be romance by the wrap party? Hallmark charmer also stars Brooklyn Rae Silzer, Jeff Branson, Brandhyze Stanley, Katrina Norman.
Four Good Days (2020)
One morning, Deb (Glenn Close) opened the door to find her long-estranged addict daughter Molly (Mila Kunis)–claiming she was ready to try and get off drugs for the first time in a decade. With the detox center denying her an opioid antagonist unless she could first stay clean for four days, the wary mother invited her back home for a revelatory if grueling stretch. Fact-inspired effort also stars Stephen Root, Joshua Leonard, Rebecca Field, Chad Lindberg.
It’s a Gift (1934)
A sudden windfall lets struggling grocer Harold Bissonnette (W.C. Fields) bid adieu to his aggravating customers, pull up stakes, and pursue his dream of running a California orange grove. He’ll be the one getting squeezed by his angry family after they drive to the coast and discover the acreage he bought is one large sandbox! Signature sketches abound in this comic classic co-starring Kathleen Howard, Jean Rouverol, Tommy Bupp, and, in his last Fields film, Baby LeRoy.
The Bank Dick (1940)
Henpecked husband and layabout Egbert Sousé (W.C. Fields) finally got a job offer after he inadvertently foiled a bank robbery–and the grateful business hired him as the new guard. He wheedles teller and prospective son-in-law Og Oggilby (Grady Sutton) into “borrowing” $500 for a shady investment–and has to think fast when the auditor (Franklin Pangborn) shows up early. Fields’ foremost feature farce co-stars Una Merkel, Cora Witherspoon, Shemp Howard.
The Old Fashioned Way (1943)
With few curtain calls and lots of creditors, traveling theater impresario Marc Anthony “The Great” McGonigle (W.C. Fields) stakes his troupe’s fortunes on letting a wealthy, stage-struck–and untalented–widow (Jan Duggan) join up. Will he be able to deal with her ill-mannered infant (Baby LeRoy) before his backers bring out the hook? Fields’ juggling prowess gets displayed in this favorite vehicle co-starring Judith Allen, Joe Morrison, Oscar Apfel, Tammany Young.
D.C.’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season (2021)
All 15 episodes from the sixth season are included in this three-disc set.
Dirty Laundry (1987)
Hapless concert sound man Jay (Leigh McCloskey) thought he was walking out of the L.A. laundromat with the socks and undies–but the duffel bag he grabbed was actually stuffed with a million bucks, courtesy of a botched drug drop. Now, he’s got to get back on the road–for his life–as he’s chased by hit men from the mob kingpin (Frankie Valli) who’s out the money! Riotous Reagan-days romp also stars Sonny Bono, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis, Robbie Rist.
Highway Hitcher (aka The Pass) (1998)
When down-and-out gambler Charles Duprey (William Forsythe) set out for Reno after his wife left him, he probably wasn’t expecting to wind up in a desperate life-or-death situation. But that’s exactly where he finds himself when he picks up a hitchhiker (James Le Gros) who turns out to be a dangerous psychopath. Soon, Charles is locked in a deadly battle of wills that can have only one winner. Taut thriller also stars Elizabeth Peña, Jamie Kennedy, Michael McKean, Nancy Allen. AKA: “The Pass.”
One More Train to Rob (1971)
A double-cross lands train robber Harker Fleet (George Peppard) in jail, while partner-in-crime Timothy Nolan (John Vernon) pockets Fleet’s share of their take–and starts romancing his gal, Katy (Diana Muldaur). Finally free after over two years, can Fleet get even with Nolan, reclaim his loot, and win back the hand of the lovely Katy? Director Andrew V. McLaglen’s punchy comedic western also stars France Nuyen, Steve Sandor, Soon-Tek Oh.
Snowpiercer: The Complete Second Season (2021)
Based on the 1982 French graphic novel and the 2013 film, this sci-fi drama series debuted on TNT in 2020. As the massive train Snowpiercer circumnavigates a frozen, post-apocalyptic Earth with what’s left of humanity onboard, the class divisions that exist between the elites in the front section and the less fortunate residents of the tail begin to break down when a revolt is staged. Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Mickey Sumner, Alison Wright, Lena Hall, Iddo Goldberg star. 10 episodes on 2 discs.
The Chinese Boxer (aka The Hammer of God) (1970)
Humiliated by his teacher and drummed out of his martial arts school, Tiao Erh (Chao Hsiung) made good on his promised revenge, returning with a trio of Japanese thugs to wipe out master and pupils. Hiding his identity behind a surgical mask, sole survivor Lei Ming (Jimmy Wang Yu, who wrote and directed) set out for bloody retribution against the attackers. Acknowledged spearhead of the ’70s kung fu cycle also stars Wang Ping, Lo Lieh, Chen Sing.
The Designated Victim (1971)
Commercial photographer Stefano (Tomas Milian) wanted to cash out and run off with model/muse Fabienne (Katia Christine)…but his wife (Marisa Bartoli) wasn’t about to let him do either. While in Venice, he commiserates with a new acquaintance, eccentric noble Matteo (Pierre Clémenti)–who proposes that each do away with the other’s tormentor. Giallo riff on “Strangers on a Train” also stars Luigi Casellato, Ottavio Alessi.
Human Animals (1983)
In the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, two men and a woman awaken in a barren wasteland and desperately try to scrape out an existence. Their party is soon joined by a domesticated German shepherd, who leads them to a more hospitable jungle climate–but territorial rivalries and desires are going to erupt in very unanticipated ways. Filmmaker Eligio Herrero’s dialogue-free, controversy-laden opus stars Carole Kirkham, Geir Indvard, José Yepes, and Larry the Dog.
Coming Home in the Dark (2021)
Schoolteacher Hoaggie (Erik Thomson) and spouse Jill (Miriama McDowell) had taken their two reluctant teenage sons for a remote lakeside picnic when they were accosted and kidnapped by two drifters (Daniel Gillies, Matthias Luafutu). As the family is terrorized, it gradually becomes apparent that their assailants aren’t after money–and that Hoaggie will have to face a brutal secret thought buried in his past, in this effective shock suspenser from New Zealand.
Witch Hunt (2020)
In an alternate America where witches and magic both exist–and are both criminalized–California teenager Claire (Gideon Adlon) had to deal with the fact that her mom (Elizabeth Mitchell) used the family farm as a way station for witches trying to flee to Mexico. When she takes in refugee sisters Fiona (Abigail Cowen) and Shae (Echo Campbell), Claire’s involvement with them has stunning repercussions. Elle Callahan’s allegorical shocker co-stars Christian Camargo, Lulu Antariksa.
Emily in Paris: Season One (2020)
Debuting on Netflix in 2020, this comedy/drama series from “Sex and the City” creator Darren Starr focuses on Chicago twentysomething Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) as she relocates to Paris for a job with the marketing company Savoir. Hired for her American outlook, can Emily forge new personal and professional relationships in the City of Lights? Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold also star. 10 episodes on 2 discs.
It’s Nothing Mama, Just a Game (1974)
With his family’s business interests failing, the indolent and indulged Juan (David Hemmings) still had his favorite recreation–riding horseback as he used hunting dogs to chase terrified women around his opulent grounds. After the sadistic game went fatally awry, he looked to recruit employee’s daughter Lola (Andrea Rau) as a substitute…but she’d turn the tables in a fitting manner. Shocker from Spain co-stars Alida Valli, Francisco Rabal. AKA: “It’s Nothing, Only a Game,” “Lola.”
A Gift from Bob (2020)
Based on the 7th and 9th books in James Bowen’s series, this Christmas-set sequel to 2016’s “A Street Cat Named Bob” finds British ex-busker Bowen (Luke Treadaway) enjoying success as a writer. But a flashback to last Christmas reveals that while he was trying to eke out a meager living, Bowen nearly lost feline pal Bob (as himself) when local officials became concerned about the animal’s welfare. With Kristina Tonteri-Young, Anna Wilson-Jones. AKA: “A Christmas Gift from Bob.”
Forty, divorced, and with a teenage daughter, Liza Miller (Sutton Foster) couldn’t figure out the next move…until she was flirted with by twenty-something tattoo artist Josh (Nico Tortorella), who took her for around his age. She went for it, fudging her birth date to land a job with a Manhattan publisher–and her efforts to keep up the workplace pose fueled Darren Star’s dramedy that aired on TV Land over 2015-2021. Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Hilary Duff, Molly Bernard, Peter Hermann co-starred. 84 episodes on 10 discs.
Swan Song (2021)
His days as his community’s most flamboyant figure well behind him, retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger (Udo Kier) was spending a dull decline in a Sandusky, Ohio retirement home. However, when requested to coif a recently-deceased favorite client (Linda Evans) for her wake, he gamely steps back out into a world–and gay culture–he can barely recognize. Todd Stephens’ touching, fact-based dramedy co-stars Jennifer Coolidge, Eric Eisenbrey.
Fury (1936)
After being falsely accused of kidnapping, gas station owner Joe Wilson (Spencer Tracy) is put in a small-town jail and becomes the focus of a vigilante mob set on lynching him. After a stunning escape, the believed-dead Joe connives a fitting revenge. Striking drama from director Fritz Lang (his American debut) criticizes mob mentality and features superior performances from Tracy, Sylvia Sidney, Walter Abel, Edward Ellis, and Walter Brennan; look for “Toto” as Wilson’s dog.
Tina (2021)
In the wake of the hit Broadway musical based upon her life, the legendary Tina Turner delivered unprecedented personal access for this stunning documentary portrait. Between personal reflections at 80 from the rock goddess, as well as never-before-seen archival interviews, Tina holds forth on the meteoric career resurgence that followed the end of her problematic union with Ike Turner; plus observations from Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, Kurt Loder, Katori Hall, more.
Old Henry (2021)
Widowed farmer Henry (Tim Blake Nelson) and his young son Wyatt (Gavin Lewis) were tending the homestead when the wounded Curry (Scott Haze) stumbled to the door with a satchel of cash. Their reservations about sheltering him proved well-founded with the arrival of a posse…but when the aggressive vigilantes push Henry to take up arms, they’ll learn too late that he’s no ordinary sodbuster. Sturdy oater also stars Stephen Dorff, Trace Adkins.
The Last of Sheila (1973)
Witty, sophisticated mystery about an intricate parlor game hosted by a movie producer (James Coburn) on board his luxury yacht during a one-week cruise in the Mediterranean. The object of the game is to divulge a single secret about each player and discern the hit-and-run killer of the producer’s wife, Sheila (Raquel Welch), which occurred one year earlier. Co-stars Dyan Cannon, James Mason, Richard Benjamin. Scripted by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins; directed by Herbert Ross.
Resonator: Miskatonic U (2021)
Having enrolled at his father’s infamous alma mater, young Crawford Tillinghast, Jr. (Dane Oliver) sought to recreate the forbidden device that allowed Dad to pierce the veil into other dimensions. His success, however, does not go unnoticed by a corrupt professor (Michael Paré) who wants to exploit the Resonator for his own purposes. Chilling homage/semi-sequel to “From Beyond” also stars Amanda Wyss, Jeffrey Byron, Christina Hélène Braa, Alex Keener.
Ladies They Talk About (1933)
Robbery gang decoy Nan Taylor (Barbara Stanwyck) wasted the advocacy of smitten reformer David Slade (Preston Foster) and got herself a stretch in San Quentin. After an escape attempt by her male cronies goes fatally sideways and she gets her sentence enhanced, she’s certain Slade blew the whistle–and fixates on taking her vengeance on him once she gets out. Exemplary pre-Code women-in-prison opus also stars Lyle Talbot, Lillian Roth, Dorothy Burgess, Ruth Donnelly.
Mania Killer (1987)
French prostitutes are being abducted by a bizarre religious cult that attempts to cleanse them of their sins through various forms of deadly torture…and their pimps will no longer stand for it! They band together and, joined by a young man whose girl has also been taken, attempt to end the crazy cultists’ reign of terror. Unusual French shocker stars Bo Svenson, Chuck Connors, Robert Ginty, Suzanne Andrews. AKA “Maniac Killer.”
My Salinger Year (2020)
In the mid-’90s, Joanna (Margaret Qualley) dropped out of college to pursue her writing ambitions, and took a job at the unabashedly old-school literary agency run by Margaret (Sigourney Weaver). Unfamiliar with the mystique of the firm’s most prominent client–the reclusive author J.D. Salinger–her responsibilities handling his fan mail will provide some daunting challenges. Wry adaptation of Joanna Rakoff’s memoir also stars Douglas Booth, Brian F. O’Byrne, Colm Feore.
C.H.U.D. (1984)
There’s something coming out of the New York City sewers, and it ain’t martial arts turtles! They’re Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers–homeless people who’ve been turned into icky monstrosities by toxic waste. Now, it’s up to a photographer, his girlfriend, a cop, and the guy who runs the local soup kitchen to stop the deadly creatures once and for all. John Heard, Daniel Stern, Kim Greist star; look for John Goodman as a cop.
Click here for a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases!