Boo! Whoops, did I frighten you? Sorry about that! Even though today is Halloween, there’s nothing to be scared about when it comes to this week’s new DVD and Blu-ray releases. And what a bunch of releases they are! There’s nothing like enjoying a classic movie on a crisp autumn night, so why not do just that? Amongst the best offerings making their debuts this week are several classic Jean Harlow films (which were previously unavailable on DVD), a beautifully packaged 32-disc set that includes every episode of The Fugitive, a landmark British series celebrating its 30th anniversary, recent theatrical releases from the likes of Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Ashton Kutcher, Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, the latest Pixar masterpiece, and some Christmas classics that you’d have to be a Scrooge to ignore. (And because it’s never too early to start your holiday shopping). Let’s take a look at what wonderful titles are now waiting to be watched by you and yours!
Jean Harlow: 100th Anniversary Collection
Hollywood’s legendary “blonde bombshell,” Jean Harlow, shines in this seven-disc boxed set. Harlow plays a cannery worker who falls for fisherman/union activist Spencer Tracy in the drama “Riffraff” (1935), co-starring Mickey Rooney. The WWI melodrama “Suzy” (1936) has Jean, thinking inventor husband Franchot Tone was killed by spies, moving to Paris and marrying pilot Cary Grant…only to learn Tone survived. Playboy Robert Taylor is coaxed into keeping an eye on bankrupt widow Harlow in the romantic comedy “Personal Property” (1937). And in Jean’s final film, “Saratoga” (1937), she’s a horse breeder’s daughter who’s drawn to bookie Clark Gable. With Lionel Barrymore. Also includes “Bombshell,” “The Girl from Missouri,” and “Reckless.”
In this snappy romantic drama spiced with musical numbers, Jean Harlow performs a change-of-pace role as a Broadway actress whose effect on men leads to jealousy, scandal, and even murder. William Powell, Franchot Tone, May Robson, Ted Healy, and Rosalind Russell star. Songs include “Reckless,” “Ev’rything’s Been Done Before,” and the title tune.
Lively comedy starring Jean Harlow as the daughter of a small-town innkeeper who joins friend Patsy Kelly in New York to search for romance…with a millionaire. Harlow thinks she’s found Mr. Right when she meets tycoon Lionel Barrymore, but then falls for his handsome son while on a trip to Florida. Franchot Tone, Lewis Stone co-star.
Sexy Jean Harlow stars in this hilarious Hollywood satire as the title beauty who gets involved with wacky showbiz characters. She’s got an aggressive press agent (Lee Tracy), an irascible director (Pat O’Brien), and a snobby blueblood (Franchot Tone) looking after her. With Frank Morgan, Ted Healy, and Louise Beavers. AKA: “Blonde Bombshell.”
Pixar’s silly and sensational sequel has race car superstar Lightning McQueen travelling to Japan in order to participate in the World Grand Prix. At the urging of girlfriend Sally Carrera, he brings bumpkin tow truck Mater along with him. While Lightning deals with trouble on and off the track, Mater gets wrapped up in the world of international espionage–resulting in plenty of laughs and adventure. With the voices of Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer.
Based on the novel by Sara Gruen, this powerful drama set in the 1930s follows veterinary student Jacob (Robert Pattinson) as he abandons his studies after his parents are killed. Deciding to take work as a vet in a travelling circus, he meets and falls for married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). But when their secret romance is discovered by Marlena’s circus owner husband, their lives are forever changed. With Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook.
After a messy break-up, Jen Kornfeldt (Katherine Heigl) is certain she’ll never love again–that is, until she meets the handsome Spencer Aimes (Ashton Kutcher). After they marry and settle down, Jen believes she has truly found her happily ever after. But when she learns that her loving husband neglected to tell her that he is an undercover assassin, their picture-perfect life is turned upside-down–and put in great danger. Tom Selleck, Catherine O’Hara, Rob Riggle co-star in this hilarious romantic comedy.
Smart and insightful ensemble comedy focuses on Cal (Steve Carell), a successful businessman and father whose life comes crashing down after his wife cheats on him and asks for a divorce. Unsure what to do next, he turns to his playboy friend Jacob (Ryan Gosling) for guidance and soon discovers how much he–and women–have changed since the last time he had to date. With Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, John Carroll Lynch, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon.
The Fugitive: The Complete Series: The Most Wanted Edition
Go on the run with Richard Kimble again! This handsomely packaged 32 disc set includes the complete seasons 1-4 of “The Fugitive,” plus a bonus audio CD. Every thrilling moment of the series that captivated millions is here! Check it out, and relive all of the show’s most thrilling moments. Will the innocent doctor catch up with the one-armed man? Find out with this set!
Brideshead Revisited (30th Anniversary Collection)
Based on Evelyn Waugh’s timeless novel, this special 30th anniversary collection of the acclaimed British mini-series recounts Charles Ryder’s (Jeremy Irons) decades-long friendship with schoolmate Sebastian Flyte (Anthony Andrews) and the aristocratic Marchmain family of Brideshead Castle between the World Wars, and the tragedies that tore them apart. John Gielgud, Claire Bloom, and Laurence Olivier co-star.
When her logger father dies, Marjorie Reynolds takes over his company in an attempt to honor his legacy. She quickly experiences a number of obstacles, including a huge order that will be used in a national defense project from the U.S. government. But when enemy agents attempt to sabotage her business, she is thrust into a dangerous situation. With Monte Blue, J. Farrell MacDonald.
After creating a formula for an indestructible new form of rubber, lab worker Homer Crow is fired for his job by some unscrupulous industrialists who intend on stealing his idea. Determined to protect his invention, he sets off on a madcap journey to thwart their unethical plans. Will Homer succeed in his quest to get recognition for his creation? Offbeat comedy stars Charles Ray, Anne Grey, Edward J. Nugent.
A tough sailor makes a bet with his pals, pretending to be a Naval Academy candidate in order to impress an uptight librarian. After she discovers that he’s lying, the seaman covers by saying that he’s a spy. But when a real group of operatives hear his fib, he and the woman are kidnapped and must figure out how to escape. Mary Brian, Chester Clute, and Ruth Fallows star in this suspenser. AKA: “Manners of the Sky.”
Midget auto racing provides the unique backdrop for this tale of the son of a deceased driver who teams with a mechanic to restore his father’s car and race it against his rival in a big competition. Can he overcome the odds and somehow find success on and off the speedway? Johnny Sands, Terry Austin, Don Castle star.
This music-packed stage play stars Tyler Perry (who also wrote and directed). When Shirley has trouble getting her family together for a big announcement, Madea steps in to gather her loved ones. Once everyone arrives, the gun-toting granny gives lessons on life as financial and drug problems within the family are dealt with. Cassi Davis, Palmer Williams, Jr. co-star; songs include “People Make the World Go Round,” “Heaven Waits for Me,” and more.
Rawhide: The Fourth Season, Vol. 2
Ready to saddle up again? The remaining 15 episodes from the fourth season–including “The Woman Trap,” “The Deserter’s Patrol,” “Grandma’s Money,” “Reunion,” and “Abilene”–are featured in a four-disc set. Yee-haw, pardners! This is a true TV Western classic, so don’t miss out on it!
Duck Season has officially begun thanks to this two-disc collection of cartoons starring the long-suffering fowl. Features 20 shorts–including “Porky’s Duck Hunt,” “Plane Daffy,” “Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century,” “Robin Hood Daffy,” and “The Duxorcist”–as well as a “Tiny Toon Adventures” episode, an episode of “Duck Dodgers” TV show, and more.
“All I Want for Christmas” (1991) is an engaging holiday family comedy about a brother and sister who use all sorts of wacky methods to reunite their divorced parents in time for the holidays. Jamey Sheridan, Harley Jane Kozak, Thora Birch, Ethan Randall, Lauren Bacall, and Leslie Nielsen star. Next, a marketing exec (Ben Affleck) attempts to get in the Yuletide spirit by returning to his childhood home and offering its current residents (James Gandolfini and Catherine O’Hara) $250,000 to allow him to spend Christmas there and pretend to be his parents, in “Surviving Christmas” (2004). Trouble arises when Affleck’s new “sister” (Christina Applegate) shows up and refuses to play along. And, Queen Latifah stars in “Last Holiday” (2006), a warmly funny remake of the 1950 Alec Guinness film, playing a store clerk who, faced with the news that she will soon pass away from an incurable illness, embraces life to the fullest. Gerard Depardieu, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Alicia Witt also star. Four-disc set also includes “Trading Places.”
A Christmas Carol (60th Anniversary Diamond Collection)
Alastair Sim’s tour-de-force performance as the ultimate Christmas grouch, Ebenezer Scrooge, highlights this beloved version of the Charles Dickens story. The peevish pinchpurse learns the error of his unkind ways when he is taught the true meaning of the holidays by the ghost of his late partner and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future. Meryvn Johns, Michael Hordern, and Glyn Dearman as Tiny Tim co-star.
For details and availability of more of this week’s new releases, click here.
Here’s a look at last week’s new releases.