12.12.11 | Chris Cummins | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
Tags: Buster Keaton, James Franco, Roger Moore
It's getting chilly out, but these new releases are certain to warm you up! This week's DVD and Blu-ray offerings include a Buster Keaton classic, the latest entry in the Planet of the Apes franchise, a heartwarming holiday telefilm starring Doris Roberts, a classic biopic and much, much more. Grab some hot chocolate or egg nog and check out the latest and greatest hits that are now available!
Seven Chances (Ultimate Edition)
When he stands to inherit a fortune if he can get married by seven o'clock, Buster Keaton becomes the quarry of an army of would-be brides (and gets caught in a shower of boulders) in this elaborate silent comedy. Buster Keaton hasn't been able to get hitched to the object of his affection--co-star Ruth Dwyer--but, will he be able to kiss the perfect bride in time to get rich? With T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Edwards.
Exciting sequel to the computer-animated hit finds Dragon Warrior Po (voiced by Jack Black) attempting to master one final Kung Fu technique that will allow him to achieve inner peace. And he'll need all the help he can get as he and his fellow martial arts masters the Furious Five set out to defeat Shen (Gary Oldman), an evil peacock with a mysterious link to Po's past. Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, and Dustin Hoffman also provide voices.
Three-disc set includes "Kung Fu Panda," "Kung Fu Panda 2," and "Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters."
Fast-paced comedy-mystery romp stars the formidable duo of Michael Caine and Roger Moore as a pair of brilliant scientists (and their con men impostors). When the confidence tricksters decide to use their resemblance to the researchers to their financial gain, they are thrust into an unfamiliar world of danger, spies, and international intrigue. With Sally Kirkland and, in a cameo, John Cleese.
Exciting soldiers-of-fortune saga about an international group of mercenaries who get involved in a border war in Africa at the behest of a corrupt politician. But when one of the mercs realizes that he has been duped and is fighting for the wrong side, he puts his life on the line in order to make things right. Peter Fonda, Reb Brown, Ron O'Neal, James Mitchum star.
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture
Splendid rendition of Tchaikovsky's magical ballet, performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company and using designs by famed children's author Maurice Sendak that evoke the spirit of Hoffman's original fable. Unforgettable family adventure that's fun to watch all year long stars Hugh Bigney, Vanessa Sharp, Patricia Barker.
A war game designed to test the limits of "enhanced interrogation techniques" goes terribly wrong for a team of soldiers landing on a remote Pacific island. The battle becomes brutally real once the female member of the squad is tortured by a sadistic commanding officer, leaving thunderstruck comrades no choice but to bypass the war crimes tribunal and strike back with fatal force! Spellbinding action thriller stars Tom Skerritt, Lisa Eichhorn, Anthony Zerbe, and Richard Roundtree. AKA: "Hell Camp."
Compelling drama stars Carroll Baker as a young girl living in the Bronx whose world is turned upside down when she is raped. As she hides her depression over the event from her family, she is helped out by a seemingly kind garage mechanic. But is there a sinister motive behind the stranger's behavior? With Ralph Meeker, Mildred Dunnock, Jean Stapleton.
'60s-set dark farce follows the travails at a midwestern agricultural manure company when its patriarchal owner meets a messy end in an industrial accident. His biggest rival (Kyle MacLachlan) is ready to swoop in, his estranged, high-toned cosmetic saleswoman daughter (Tea Leoni) doesn't want the reins, and it's up to his slickest salesman (Billy Bob Thornton) to keep matters from going down...you get the picture. Ed Helms, Mark Polish, Pruitt Taylor Vince co-star.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
A scientist (James Franco) searching for a cure for Alzheimer's disease tests a drug on a group of chimpanzees, greatly increasing their intelligence before he's forced to put them all down. That is, all but Caesar (Andy Serkis in a motion-capture performance), one of the test subjects' offspring, whose enhanced brain capacity enables him to lead his fellow primates in a violent revolution against humanity. Provocative reboot of the classic sci-fi film series also stars Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox.
Episodes 9-19 of season eight and the first three episodes of season nine--including "Business Guy," "Dial Meg for Murder," "Go, Stewie, Go!," "Brian Griffin's House of Payne," and "April in Quahog"--are featured in this three-disc set.
Slick remake of the '80s horror fave stars Colin Farrell as Jerry Dandridge, a charming vampire who moves next door to high schooler Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin). Enlisting the aid of an eccentric Las Vegas stage magician (David Tennant), Charley must save his beautiful girlfriend (Imogen Poots) from Dandridge's evil clutches. With Toni Collette, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as "Evil" Ed.
At the New England boarding school Tanner Hall, senior Fernanda (Rooney Mara) begins a new semester and discovers that her friends have changed since the manipulative Victoria (Georgia King) arrived. After she starts a relationship with the handsome Gio (Tom Everett Scott), Fernanda makes Victoria jealous. Now, all of the characters learn how difficult becoming an adult will truly be. Insightful drama co-stars Brie Larson, Amy Sedaris, and Chris Kattan.
Doris Roberts returns as the title character in this charming follow-up to the original 2009 Hallmark Channel telefilm, this time delivering inspiration and good cheer to a young woman looking after her nephew while his father is away on a military tour of duty overseas. Heavenly nanny Roberts soon helps the woman negotiate the early stages of a new romance. With Jewel Staite, Eric Johnson, and Lauren Holly.
The hero of this offbeat, modern-day London fable is Gavin Lamb (Jesse Birdsall), a 31-year-old virgin who receives some belated lessons in the ways of the fairer sex from a trio of very different women: a wealthy older lady (Lynn Redgrave), a promiscuous flake (Helena Bonham Carter), and a charming girl-next-door (Jane Horrocks). But which one will he find true love with? John Gielgud, Peter Cook also star.
No sooner does artist-turned-social worker Rae Carter (Lucy Liu) break off ties with her boyfriend (Bobby Cannavale) than she meets and falls hard for a new suitor (Steven Pasquale). She is then positively deluged with romantic opportunities (not to mention inner turmoil) when her new beau's rich friend pitches woo...and her ex returns to the fold eager to walk down the aisle! Romantic miniseries co-stars Enrique Murciano, Annie Potts.
Sledge Hammer!: The Complete Series
Sledge Hammer (David Rasche) was a trigger-happy detective who shot first (and second, third, and fourth) and let his partner, Dori Doreau (Anne-Marie Martin) ask questions later. Watch as Sledge unloads his pearl-handled .44 Magnum on killers, terrorists, and the occasional jaywalker in ABC's 1986-88 "Dirty Harry" satire. Harrison Page co-stars.
Spin City: The Complete Sixth Season
All 22 episodes from season six--including "The Arrival," "Yet Another Stakeout," "Fight Flub," "Rags to Riches," and "A Friend in Need"--are presented in a four-disc set.
Gunsmoke: The Fifth Season, Vol. 2
The remaining 19 episodes from the fifth season--including "Hinka Do," "Jailbait Janet," "I Thee Wed," "Belle's Back," and "Cherry Red"--are featured in a three-disc set.
State Trooper: The Complete Second and Third Seasons
All 65 episodes from the second and third seasons--including "A Penny Saved," "The Case of the Happy Dragon," "The Prettiest Dress in Goldfield," "Carson City Kitty," and "The Girl on Cloud Nine"--are presented in a six-disc set.
Who can best illuminate the life and work of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs? This documentary tribute to the late business wizard features interviews with Jobs colleagues as well as the chroniclers of his biography who offer new insights about his ability to "think different." The program also features an exclusive sit-down with Jobs himself as he provides unforgettable advice to others.
This lively, tuneful biography of "the March King," John Philip Sousa, stars Clifton Webb as the 19th-century Marine Corps band leader who started his own concert band and wrote some of America's most beloved patriotic songs. While entertaining audiences across the country, his "no wives" restriction placed upon his group causes more than a little trouble for young lovers Robert Wagner and Debra Paget. Ruth Hussey co-stars.
For details and availability of more of this week's new releases, click here.
Here's a look at last week's DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Pingback: Top DVD & Blu-ray Releases: Week of 12-18-11 | MovieFanFare