This week’s new DVDs and Blu-rays are a diverse bunch that includes everything from last year’s (very briefly at least) Best Picture, the latest entry in a weirdly beloved vampire franchise, a probing drama based on one of Ibsen’s masterworks, and more. Take a look:
In modern-day Los Angeles, barista and struggling actress Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) hunted for that elusive break, while uncompromising jazz pianist Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling) stubbornly planned to play his own sounds in his own club. The intense attraction that blossomed between these two dreamers–and the sad truths that emerged as their respective hopes headed towards reality–fuel this color-splashed, six-time Oscar-winning musical romance from director Damien Chazelle; John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, and J.K. Simmons also star.
The exciting fifth chapter in the enduring horror franchise finds Death Dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) pursued by her fellow vampires as well as their werewolf enemies. Drawn back into the ancient war between the two species, Selene must face the treacherous, power-hungry female vamp Semira (Lara Pulver) and the fierce Lycan leader Marius (Tobias Menzies). Theo James, Bradley James, and Charles Dance also star.
Having returned home to his tiny Australian logging town after 15 years for the remarriage of his estranged lumber magnate father Henry (Geoffrey Rush), Christian (Paul Schneider) takes the opportunity to catch up with childhood friend Oliver (Ewen Leslie). After learning that Oliver’s wife Charlotte (Miranda Otto) might have precipitated his mother’s suicide via a long-ago affair with Henry, Christian’s pursuit of answers may be ruinous for all involved. Effective spin on Ibsen’s “The Wild Duck” co-stars Sam Neill, Anna Torv, Odessa Young.
On a romantic getaway to Iceland, a young American couple wake up one morning to discover every person on earth has disappeared. Their struggle to survive and to reconcile the mysterious event. Smart and suspenseful sci-fi tale in the spirit of Another Earth and Upstream Color stars Maika Monroe and Matt O’Leary.
Compelling Canadian thriller focuses rural teens Jonas (Josh Wiggins) and Casey (Sophie Nélisse), whose burgeoning romance is met with disapproval by Casey’s father Wayne (Bill Paxton), an abusive corrupt cop. After Jonas steals a bag of drug money from Wayne, he and Casey take off on an exciting coming-of-age journey, relentlessly pursued by Wayne who will stop at nothing to track them down. Colm Feore also stars.
Having bitterly fallen out while still in college, pampered government contractor’s wife Veronica (Sandra Oh) and struggling avant-garde painter Ashley (Anne Heche) encounter one another for the first time in a generation. The expected passive-aggressive taunting unexpectedly escalates into a jaw-dropping, all-out slobber-knocker–one of several they’d have over the ensuing years as their respective fortunes waxed and waned. Onur Tukel’s stunningly dark social satire co-stars Alicia Silverstone, Dylan Baker, Craig Bierko.