DVD Talk: January 2014 Archives

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: The Following: The Complete First Season - a bloody, fast-moving entertainment with impressive turns from Kevin Bacon, as a burnt-out FBI agent, and James Purefoy, as a serial killer and cult leader; The House of Eliott: Complete Collection - The strong sweep of the narrative, combined with a fine British cast and superior production design make this a must for fans of serial British TV shows; and Pride & Prejudice: Keepsake Edition -this 1995 BBC production brought Jane Austen's classic novel to life with lush production values and a star-making performance from Colin Firth as the imperious Mr. Darcy. Other shows recently reviewed include: Secrets of Ancient Egypt, House of Lies: The Second Season, and The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Planning to see 2014's Oscar Nominated Short Films in theaters this weekend prior to the 86th Academy Award ceremony? DVD Talk reviewer Jeff Nelson got the chance to screen them early. Whether you're interested in Live Action, Animation, or Documentaries, our latest article has you covered. This year's nominees feature short films originating from all around the globe, including Denmark, Japan, UK, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Finland, UAE, Yemen, Canada, and the United States. This year offers a wide variety of filmmaking that reach new emotional heights that are rarely seen in full-length motion pictures. Check out the nominees and more in DVD Talk's coverage of 2014's Oscar Nominated Short Films.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Killing Fields - Roland Joffe's adult epic uses a true personal tragedy to tell the greater story of the 1970s genocide perpetrated by Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, an unexpected consequence of the Vietnam War; Throne of Blood - starring Toshiro Mifune, Akira Kurosawa's stylized adaptation of Shakespeare's MacBeth has been lauded as the best filmic adaptation of Shakespeare ever - the Japanese master shifts the particulars to Shogunate times but adds his own visual flourishes and dramatic scenes of violence; and Taxi - Made just after his big gangster success, this show gives us James Cagney at his best, fighting thugs in a taxi war and hunting down the "dirty rat" that killed his brother. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

This week several great movies are coming out, including a few that shouldn't be missed: Last Vegas [review] - Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline head off to Las Vegas in this pleasant comedy; Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde: Kino Classics Remastered Edition [review] - this 1920 film is a creepy and engaging take on the story thanks to John Barrymore's impressive performance; and Treme: The Complete Fourth Season [review] - unlike anything you watched this is a drama about a community populated by real people, brought to life by an exceptional ensemble cast and the fourth season is a fitting end to an amazing television series. Other reviews of note include Beast Of Hollow Mountain / The Neanderthal Man [review], 1 - The Movie [review], and I Used to Be Darker [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy - an excellent documentary and the definitive history of â€˜the house that Freddy built' ; Raise The Titanic [a 2nd review] - a strong film ideally suited to Blu-ray, digital surround, and big screen TVs; and Night of the Demons - a fast, fun, frenetic flick that scratches your '80s trash-horror itch as few others can, and Scream Factory has lavished one of the era's most memorable B-movies with the Blu-ray release it deserves. Other recent reviews include: In the Heat of the Night, Charley Chase Collection Volume 2, and The Spectacular Now. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Planning a trip to the local multiplex this weekend? Here are DVD Talk's reviews of the latest theatrical releases: Gimme Shelter - Vanessa Hudgens is fantastic as the lead in this intense drama that displays a teenage girl's desperate journey of survival; and Gloria - Paulina GarcÃa delivers a powerful performance in the title role, as she manages to keep us engaged in her character from start to finish. Other recent films include: The Wolf of Wall Street, Saving Mr. Banks, Like Father, Like Son, Big Bad Wolves, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Her, The Past, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, American Hustle, The Armstrong Lie, Inside Llewyn Davis, Out of the Furnace, Frozen (3D), Nebraska, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 12 Years a Slave. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: Family Guy: Volume 12 - a pretty solid collection of animated comedy from McFarlane and company... if you're a fan, you'll appreciate the zany creativity, wit and overall tone of inspired insanity that continues to make the series as much fun as it is; Treme: The Complete Fourth Season - unlike anything you watched this is a drama about a community populated by real people, brought to life by an exceptional ensemble cast and the fourth season is a fitting end to an amazing television series; and The Universe In 3D: A Whole New Dimension - a very informative show that is entertaining at the same time... this time around the focus is a bit more intelligent and less sensationalistic than the previous "Universe in 3D" set.. Other shows recently reviewed include: Lilyhammer: Season 1, The Beverly Hillbillies: The Official Fourth Season, and Cheyenne: The Complete Seventh Season. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Our good friends at RightStuf.com wanted to showcase some of the cool anime titles that were released in the last quarter of 2013 and we thought "why not highlight them in Anime Talk?" This time around Jessica Heemsbergen selects five titles that she thinks deserves special mention. From outrageous comdey to touching drama and anime classics, Jessica has selected a great slate of shows that are all worth a good look. Take a gander at the list and if any of these shows piques your interest you can find them all, plus a whole lot more, at RightStuf.com.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Royal Flash - Malcolm McDowell is the cowardly dastard Harry Flashman, whose exploits in Her Majesty's Service pit him against Otto von Bismarck and take him into the arms of Lola MontÃ©s, the hottest playgirl of the 19th century; Young America - A Fox pre-Code from Frank Borzage about juvenile delinquency... pharmacist Spencer Tracy predicts disaster when his wife Doris Kenyon offers their home to a lawbreaking "bad apple" orphan; and The Jerry Warren Collection Volume 1 - Zero-reputation filmmaker Jerry Warren gives us three of his more notable cinematic... uh... offerings. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Another banner week for DVDs with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: Captain Phillips [review] - Tom Hanks stars in this tense, real-life story of a commercial ship captain whose boat is captured by Somalian pirates; Blue Jasmine [review] - easily one of Woody Allen's best films and Cate Blanchett is amazing; and Nostalghia [review] - director Andrei Tarkovksy's film is a personal work from an artist struggling with his own failures and banishment from the country where he was born. Other reviews of note include Comedy Bang Bang: Season 1 [review], Bullet In The Face: The Complete Series [review], and Charlie Countryman [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: Archer: Season 4 - this animated show airing on FX still outclasses just about everything else on TV... every one of these thirteen episodes is still genius; Many Wars Ago (Uomini Contro) - an effective, potent, and still-relevant war movie from Italy in 1970; and The Whip and The Body: Kino Classics Remastered Edition - A horror film with Christopher Lee that is directed by Mario Bava is not to be missed, and Kino has providing a very fine remastered edition with a great commentary. Other recent reviews include: Last Vegas, Enough Said, and The Belle of Broadway. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Before you head off to the cinema this weekend, check out DVD Talk's reviews of the latest releases including: Like Father, Like Son - a well-crafted piece of cinema that explores fascinating concepts with a whole lot of heart; Big Bad Wolves - an intense motion picture that still manages to make us laugh... it's smart, entertaining, and funny; and Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones - writer/director Christopher Landon has delivered a decent sense of humor that helps draw us into the world of these characters though, once again, we're not moving forward in the overall story of the franchise. Other recent films include: The Wolf of Wall Street, Saving Mr. Banks, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Her, The Past, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, American Hustle, The Armstrong Lie, Inside Llewyn Davis, Out of the Furnace, Frozen (3D), Nebraska, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 12 Years a Slave. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Interested in the latest TV on DVD reviews? DVD Talk has you covered! This week's notable entries include: Psych: The Complete Seventh Season - still has laughs, gags, good guest appearances and the main group of stars solve murders in Santa Barbara like nobody's business; Sugarfoot: The Complete Second Season - Another assured, polished Warner Bros. oater from the golden age of TV Westerns; and Comedy Bang Bang: Season 1 - this show with a quirky, absurdist sense of humor isn't going to be everybody's cup of tea but the show's happy-go-lucky, silly tone and the incredible roster of guests make all the wackier elements more accessible. Other shows recently reviewed include: Zetman: Complete Series, Shaquille O'Neal Presents All Star Comedy Jam Live, and Hot in Cleveland: Season Four. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Corruption - Peter Cushing plays a blood-soaked surgeon who decapitates writhing female victims to restore his girlfriend's rosy complexion; More Than Honey - Marvelous macro-cinematography highlights this survey and health report on the state of bees in the world, from the ways they are domesticated to their crucial function in pollinating flowering plants; and Vivacious Lady - Nightclub chanteuse Ginger Rogers marries gangly botany professor James Stewart after knowing him just a few hours, but family circumstances in his college town prevent them from announcing their marriage. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Fruitvale Station [review] - A remarkable debut feature from writer/director Ryan Coolger, this based-on-true-events docudrama is a real eye-opener; Lee Daniels' The Butler [review] - inspired by the life of Eugene Allen, who served as White House butler during eight presidential administrations, it features strong performances by Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey and a compelling dramatic arc about a father and son with differing approaches to Civil Rights advocacy; and 20 Feet from Stardom [review] - a charming film that invites viewers in for a warm, nostalgic look at some of the music industry's greatest unsung heroes. Other reviews of note include Rewind This! [review], Short Term 12 [review], and A Single Shot [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

This week we have a special giveaway from Entertainment One! WE ARE WHAT WE ARE, Jim Mickleâ€™s latest film, an Official Selection at the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download NOW. In WE ARE WHAT WE ARE, (view trailer), the Parkers, a seemingly wholesome and benevolent family, keep to themselves, and for good reason. As they struggle to keep their ancestral customs intact, local authorities begin to uncover clues that bring them closer to the secret that they have held closely for so many years. Enter now for your chance to win one of 5 copies of WE ARE WHAT WE ARE on DVD Entertainment One.

This week the DVD Talk Review Database has some great new entries, including a few discs you may have overlooked. Recent DVD reviews include: Don Jon - a solid debut for actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt who takes the writing and director roles in this funny, yet slightly sentimental film; The Big Gundown - an unusually fine Spaghetti Western, thanks mainly to its taut, intelligent screenplay, Lee Van Cleef's marvelous screen presence, and especially the outstanding musical score by the great Ennio Morricone; and Hail Mary - part of director Jean-Luc Godard's "second Golden Age," this Blu-ray release of the 1985 film has an excellent picture quality and plenty of extras. Other recent reviews include: Inequality for All, Jesse James, and Thunder in the Valley. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: Bullet In The Face: The Complete Series - developed by Sledge Hammer! creator Alan Spenceran, this hilarious show has an excellent balance of comedy and action, with a healthy number of laugh-out-loud moments thanks in large part to the wonderful dialogue; Star Trek: Enterprise - Season Three - this marks an interesting turn for a show: with the season-long "Xindi" arc it starts to become great; and Dragon Ball Z: Season 1 - FUNimation once again starts to release the world's most popular anime series on Blu-ray, with a nice array of audio choices. Other shows recently reviewed include: Duck Dynasty: Seasons 1-3 Collector's Set, Doc Martin - Series 6, and Masters of Money. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Beast of Hollow Mountain - a hybrid western/sci-fi epic about a frisky Allosaurus trying to eat Guy Madison and Patricia Medina -- its odd stop-motion animation is misleadingly billed as "Regiscope", but it is in color and CinemaScope; The Big Gundown - Sergio Sollima's grade-A spaghetti western raises Lee Van Cleef to leading man status and introduces Tomas Milian to the genre; and Stella Dallas - Barbara Stanwyck is the "lower class" small town girl who nabs a social aristocrat on the skids. When things get better and their daughter grows up, she finds that she no longer fits in his world -- or the daughter's. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Another banner week for DVDs with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: The Act of Killing [review] - a challenging mix of surrealist and more conventional documentary styles that is as fascinating as it is harrowing and disturbing; Throne of Blood [review] - Akira Kurosawa's atmospheric reworking of Shakespeare's Macbeth remains potent and dynamic almost 60 years later; and The Killing Fields [review] - 30 years after its release, there is still much to admire, respect and marvel about this film. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger - the third and final Ray Harryhausen Sinbad movie is a fun picture that seems to getter better over time and with multiple viewings; Fruitvale Station - A remarkable debut feature from writer/director Ryan Coolger, this based-on-true-events docudrama is a real eye-opener; and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters - this second film adaptation of Rick Riordan's YA adventures is both breezily entertaining and a fun way to introduce young viewers to Greek mythology. Other recent reviews include: Royal Flash, George White's 1935 Scandals, and Never Forget. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

TV on DVD remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman: The Complete Series - all of this highly regarded cult series is finally available on DVD... the spoof on day-time soap operas has aged well and is just as funny as ever; Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited 9-11 - a great example of some of the best stories from the Doctor Who reboot; and Flo: The Complete Series - equal parts silliness, raucous slapstick, naughty innuendo, and sweet, affecting drama, this short-lived spin-off from the show Alice is a real winner. Other shows recently reviewed include: Omnibus: Gene Kelly - Dancing, A Man's Game, Alice: The Complete Fourth Season, and WWE: Money in the Bank. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Most Impressive Discs of 2013 - Now in its 13th year, here's a roundup of the best of 2013... this is the armload of last year's discs the Savant would save if my house were sucked into an interdimensional black hole, and he could only make one trip to the shelves; Die, Monster, Die! - Daniel Haller directs Boris Karloff and Nick Adams in a confused but eventful attempt to cram H.P. Lovecraft's science fiction-horror story The Colour Out of Space into the same format as Roger Corman's The House of Usher; and Unmanned: America's Drone Wars - Robert Greenwald's latest and very worthwhile docu tells the unreported story of the drone strikes on Pakistan tribal regions. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.