With the holidays just weeks away, there’s not much time left to get your shopping done. Fortunately though, we can help. DVDs, Blu-rays and 4K releases make amazing presents for everyone that you need to shop for, and this week sees the arrival of an abundance of exciting new titles. Not just recent releases either, but hits spanning the history of motion pictures…and there’s some great TV offerings here as well. Don’t miss out on the following gift ideas, all of which are available now!
Cry Macho (2021)
Broken down, alcoholic, and out of options, former rodeo rider Mike Milo (Clint Eastwood) got a sketchy opportunity from old boss Howard Polk (Dwight Yoakam): Drive to Mexico City where Polk’s young son (Eduardo Minett) lived with his ex, and then kidnap him. The road back north provides somber lessons for the old man and his reluctant charge, in this take on the 1975 N. Richard Nash novel. Long-pursued passion project for producer/director Eastwood co-stars Natalia Traven, Fernanda Urrejola.
Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
Socially awkward teen Evan Hansen (Ben Platt) wrote a therapeutic letter of encouragement to himself–only to have it taken by standoffish classmate Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan). In the wake of Connor’s subsequent suicide, the Murphy family believed that he composed the note for Evan–and Evan’s decision to play into their misconceptions will have stunning consequences. Adaptation of the acclaimed stage play co-stars Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Julianne Moore, Amy Adams.
The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Series
One of the most popular TV shows of all time, this charming CBS sitcom ran from 1960 to 1968. Travel to the laid-back burg of Mayberry, North Carolina, and follow the comical, homespun exploits of widowed local sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his son Opie (Ron Howard), the doting Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), bumbling deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), and the rest of the town’s quirky and lovable residents. 249 episodes on 32 discs.
Broken Lullaby (1932)
In the trenches of World War I, Paul Renard (Phillips Holmes) kills a German soldier in hand-to-hand combat…and discovers to his horror that the dead man was a conservatory classmate and friend. After the armistice, he journeys to offer condolences to the grieving father (Lionel Barrymore) and fiancée (Nancy Carroll), but his concealment of his role in the death is certain to lead to further heartbreak. Ernst Lubitsch’s sobering tale co-stars Lucien Littlefield, ZaSu Pitts.
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
Ex-con Rocky Sullivan (James Cagney) came back to the old neighborhood to find a gang of local boys (the Dead End Kids) that idolized him–and his friend and former fellow J.D., Fr. Jerry Connolly (Pat O’Brien), struggling to keep the kids out of trouble. When Rocky goes after the payday he was promised for taking the fall, the stage is set for tragedy…and, perhaps, redemption. Classic WB “urban crime drama” co-stars Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, George Bancroft; Michael Curtiz directs.
Marrying Father Christmas (2018)
Now happily integrated into her birth father’s family, Miranda (Erin Krakow) knew that the holiday picture would be completed with her impending December 25th nuptials to Ian (Niall Matter). However, with the groom stumbling over his vows, stepmom Margaret (Wendie Malick) running up the guest list, and a long-lost uncle’s unwelcome arrival, the gift table’s looking like stockings full of coal in this third “Father Christmas” series entry. Michael Kopsa, Julia Benson, Bill Dow also star.
Mr. Majestyk (1974)
Returned home from Vietnam, soldier Vince Majestyk (Charles Bronson) wanted to leave violence behind for a quiet life running a Colorado watermelon farm. When he tries to make good on his troubles with the local cops by bringing in a notorious mobster (Al Lettieri), he’s marked for gang vengeance. He might not have started this war, but he’ll end it! Gritty actioner co-stars Linda Cristal, Lee Purcell, Alejandro Rey; scripted by Elmore Leonard from his novel.
Copshop (2021)
What’s sleazy con man Teddy Murretto (Frank Grillo) to do, what with maniacal professional killer Bob Viddick (Gerard Butler) hot on his trail? Murretto’s plan to get himself arrested by decking a rookie cop (Alexis Louder) so that a small-town Nevada police station will provide some protection spectacularly backfires when Viddick lands in a nearby cell and another hit man (Toby Huss) shows up on the scene. Frenetic actioner co-stars Ryan O’Nan.
Abba Forever: The Winner Takes It All (2019)
If you think ABBA is “abba-solutely” fabulous, you won’t want to miss this exciting look at their career and music. See rehearsals; concert footage; footage from the production of “Mamma Mia!,” the play based on the group’s songs; and interviews with Bono, Malcolm McLaren, Tim Rice, and others.
13 Minutes (2021)
In a small Oklahoma community, the ties between four families could’ve been described as live and let live at best. One fateful day, however, they were given less than a quarter of an hour to get themselves out of the path of a raging tornado threatening all they held dear….and found themselves forging bonds as they struggled through the devastating aftermath. Fact-inspired ensemble action-drama stars Thora Birch, Paz Vega, Anne Heche, Amy Smart, Trace Adkins, Peter Facinelli, Sofia Vassilieva.
Harold and Maude (1971)
Harold (Bud Cort) is a rich teenager obsessed with death; Maude (Ruth Gordon) is a wacky septuagenarian who loves life. Their bittersweet romance makes for an uproarious and touching dark comedy that you will want to see again and again. Harold’s faked suicides, Maude’s eccentricities, and Cat Stevens’ score make this a very special movie; directed by Hal Ashby. With Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack, Ellen Geer.
The Long Goodbye (1973)
Robert Altman’s quirky, semi-satiric updating of Raymond Chandler stars Elliott Gould as laid-back gumshoe Philip Marlowe. What starts as an investigation into the murder of his friend’s wife leads Marlowe into a complex web of intrigue involving an apparent suicide, a gangster looking to recover the money he’s owed, a missing alcoholic writer, and a deceptive woman. With Sterling Hayden, Nina van Pallandt, Jim Bouton, Henry Gibson; look for a young Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Blue Monkey (1987)
Contact with a strange insect causes a man to spawn a pupa-like organism that quickly grows into a massive bug monster. As the creature begins to spread a dangerous disease AND feed on the patients of a locked-down hospital, it’s up to a cop (Steve Railsback) and two doctors (Gwynyth Walsh, Susan Anspach) to save the day. But it may already be too late, as the creepy-crawler is ready to reproduce! Don Lake, John Vernon, and Joe Flaherty co-star in this Canadian shocker. AKA: “Insect.”
Get Crazy (1983)
As an aging L.A. theater gears up for its big New Year’s Eve concert, harried impresario Max Wolfe (Allen Garfield) has to deal with a beleaguered stage crew, an eccentric and demanding roster of acts, and a conniving rival (Ed Begley, Jr.) looking to job him out of his venue lease. Allan Arkush’s comedic, music-filled homage to the Fillmore East’s heyday co-stars Daniel Stern, Malcolm McDowell, Lou Reed, Lee Ving, Fabian, Mary Woronov, and Paul Bartel.
One Night in Miami… (Criterion Collection)(2020)
It’s a matter of record that on February 25, 1964, Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) upset Sonny Liston in Miami for the title. Afterwards, he convened in the hotel room of Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) with Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom, Jr.)–and the back-and-forth over their accomplishments and roles in a changing civil rights landscape fuels this speculative drama. Acclaimed directing bow for Regina King also stars Lance Reddick, Nicolette Robinson, Beau Bridges.
Number Seventeen (1932)
An early Hitchcock effort that mixes the suspense, scares, and humor prevalent in his later masterpieces. A stolen diamond necklace is at the center of a mystery involving a tramp, a group of thieves, a pretty deaf-mute girl, and a detective. But which members of this disparate group are not who or what they claim to be? Leon M. Lion, Anne Grey, John Stuart, Donald Calthrop, Barry Jones star.
Werewolves Within (2021)
Reassigned to the isolated hamlet of Beaverfield, nice-to-a-fault forest ranger Finn Wheeler (Sam Richardson) was just getting to meet the eccentric locals when the town was slammed by a blizzard. Turns out all private generators were sabotaged, and that someone–or something–is brutally picking the residents off. Paranoia mounts (as does the body count) in this semi-satirical shocker based on the VR game; Milana Vayntrub, Glenn Fleshler, Catherine Curtin, Michaela Watkins, Michael Chernus also star.
21 Hours at Munich (1976)
The tragedy of the 1972 Olympic Games is examined in this riveting made-for-TV movie. When the Black September terrorist group led by Issa (Franco Nero) kills two Israeli athletes and kidnaps nine others, Munich police chief Manfred Schreiber (William Holden) desperately tries to figure out a way to rescue them amidst a climate of fear and confusion. With Shirley Knight, Anthony Quayle, Richard Basehart.
Rick and Morty: Season 5 (2021)
Debuting on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block in 2013, this offbeat animated series follows Rick Sanchez, a mentally unstable alcoholic who also happens to be a scientific genius. When he moves in with his daughter, Beth, and her family, Rick finds an instant sidekick in Morty, his teenaged grandson who becomes his companion in a series of wacky adventures involving aliens, robots, alternate realities, and more. Features the voices of Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Sarah Chalke. All 10 episodes of the fifth season are included in this release.
Call the Midwife: Season 10 (2020)
The life and times of a group of midwives working at Nonnatus House–a nursing convent serving the impoverished of East London in the late 1950s and early 1960s–are chronicled in this appealing British series based on true events. The women learn powerful lessons about life’s struggles while visiting with expectant mothers and poor children. Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Laura Main star.
8 episodes on 3 discs.
A New Year’s Resolution (2021)
At a New Year’s bash, workaholic Milwaukee morning show producer Kelly Leone (Aimee Teegarden) was goaded by her buddies to resolve not to turn down any social invitations for one month. Eavesdropping bank exec Tom Malone (Michael Rady) quickly leveraged the situation, not that she minded…but the budding relationship might have an unforgiving test when she’s handed a scandalous scoop on his employer. Elise Bauman, Patricia Isaac, Devon Alexander co-star.
Roadhouse Romance (2021)
Back home from her deployment overseas, Callie (Lauren Alaina) was faced with her grandfather’s passing, the family BBQ stop now struggling, and her boyfriend having moved on. After initially clashing with passing-through-town filmmaker Luke (Tyler Hynes), she starts to find chemistry–and perhaps the answer to her problems. Music-tinged charmer from Hallmark also stars Sarah Edmondson, Michael Teigen, Rachelle Goulding.
Dark Blood (2021)
John Leguizamo offers up a harrowing tour de force as ordinary Colombian Misael, who took justice into his own hands when he brutally killed the man who molested and murdered his young son. Confined as he awaits his sentencing, he learns life inside may be more than he can handle as he suffers degradation at the hands of the prison guards as well as his fellow inmates. Adriana Barraza, Álvaro Rodríguez, Ramiro Meneses also star.
Creepshow: Season 2 (2021)
Continuing the tradition of the popular movies, this horror anthology series that debuted in 2019 combines scares and laughs as it tells tales of terror in the unmistakable style of the classic E.C. Comics. Features appearances by Justin Long, Molly Ringwald, Barbara Crampton, Eric Edelstein, Ryan Kwanten, Ali Larter, C. Thomas Howell, and more, with Rusty Cundieff and Greg Nicotero among the segments’ directors. 5 episodes on 3 discs.
The Big Doll House (1971)
This is the groundbreaking “women behind bars” actioner that became a drive-in classic! In a grimy, all-female prison, the improbably gorgeous inmates are subjected to regular rounds of horrific torture as punishment for their frequent conflicts with one another. But when the girls decide to work together to plan a daring escape, all heck really breaks loose! Pam Grier (who also sings the theme song), Judith Brown, Roberta Collins, and Sid Haig star.
Ron’s Gone Wrong (2021)
With middle school misfit Barney (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer) the one kid in class without the latest tech trend–the net-connected personal robot companion B-Bot–his dad (Ed Helms) buys the only scratched-and-dinged one available. When the glitchy device (Zach Galifianakis) stands up to Barney’s bullies, the boy finds he’s got a real friend–and goes on the run with him to escape an embarrassed manufacturer’s recall. Animated charmer also features the voices of Olivia Colman, Rob Delaney.
Checkered Flag or Crash (1977)
The off-road race the Manilla 1000 is right around the corner, and seemingly indestructible driver “Walkaway” Madden (Joe Don Baker) has his eye on the top prize. But he’ll have his hands full dealing with a sexy reporter (Susan Sarandon) who wants to tag along during the race, and his ex-partner (Alan Vint), who’ll be competing against him. Fast-paced mix of action and comedy also stars Larry Hagman, Parnelli Jones, Logan Clarke.
Busting (1974)
In this comic crime drama, Robert Blake and Elliott Gould star as a team of L.A. vice cops whose pursuit of a mob boss has them fighting not only crooks, but corrupt members of their own force. Will disobeying direct orders get them into even more danger than they face from the bad guys? Offbeat and compelling action tale also stars Allen Garfield, Cornelia Sharpe.
Love It Was Not (2021)
In 1942, Slovak teenager and cantor’s daughter Helena Citron was sent to Auschwitz, where her singing voice captivated not-much-older SS officer Franz Wunsch. A relationship that, if discovered, would have meant execution for both ensued over three years as he protected her–and they wouldn’t see one another again until 1972, when she was called to testify at his war crimes trial, as recounted by survivors in this stunning offering.
Radio On (1979)
Learning of his brother’s death in the western English town of Bristol, a London DJ sets out on a cross-country road trip that becomes an exploration of generational angst in late-’70s Britain. Director Christopher Petit’s post-punk cult fave stars David Beames, Lisa Kreuzer, and Sting as an Eddie Cochran-obsessed garage mechanic; soundtrack includes David Bowie, Devo, Kraftwerk, and Wreckless Eric.
Last Shoot Out (2021)
For frontier bride Jocelyn Miller Callahan (Skyler Witte), the honeymoon ended quickly–and in the worst manner possible–when she learned new husband Jody (Michael Welch) had her father shot down. Fleeing the spread, she finds a protector in gunslinger Billy Tyson (Brock Harris), but he and his cronies are in for a battle when the angry Jody and his posse come fully loaded. Searing sagebrusher co-stars Cam Gigandet, Jay Pickett, David DeLuise, and Bruce Dern.
Broadcast Signal Intrusion (2021)
Chicago, the late ’90s: Broken from the unsolved disappearance of his wife, James (Harry Shum, Jr.) took a job archiving video for a local TV station–where he came upon ’80s-era footage of infamous signal highjacks done by masked, never-caught anarchists. As he develops a fixation with the intrusions, he turns up links to multiple vanishings…in circumstances like his spouse’s. Fact-inspired suspenser co-stars Chris Sullivan, Kelley Mack, Justin Welborn.
Miss Christmas (2017)
Holly Khun’s (Brooke D’Orsay) penchant for finding just the right tree for a famed Chicago lighting ceremony has earned her the nickname “Miss Christmas.” In need of a last-minute replacement, Holly travels to the McNary family farm where she’s been told the perfect tree can be found. But when she must convince the handsome, recently divorced Sam McNary (Marc Blucas) to give up his tree, the seeds of a holiday romance are planted. Luke Roessler, Fiona Vroom co-star.
This is the story of the battle of the two Ultramen, Gaia and Agul, who protect the Earth from the Root Of Destruction, an unprecedented threat prophesied to attack the planet! All 52 epsiodes of the program are included in this six-disc set.
Click here for a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases!