The week’s DVDs begin with an Iranian Oscar winner:
DVDs for August 21 by Boo Allen
This week, we begin in Iran:
A Separation (****)
This intense Iranian family drama deservedly nabbed an
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Writer-director Asghar
Farhadi examines the intricate and often sticky parameters of Iranian
divorce laws, focusing his cameras on Simin (Leila Hatami), a strong
willed woman who seeks a divorce because her husband Nader (Payman
Moadi) neglects her to care for a father falling into dementia. But
divorce is not easily accomplished, as laws combine with religion and
strict social mores to thwart a separation. Simin painfully learns
from rigid governmental officials how few her options. Meanwhile,
Farhadi creates various other sub-plots to render a complex
narrative.
Rated PG-13, 123 minutes. The disc, in all formats,
includes commentary with director Asghar Farhadi, the 31 minute
on-stage interview “An Evening With Asghar Farhadi,” and eight
minutes with Farhadi in “Birth of a Director.”
Full Metal Jacket–25th anniversary Blu-ray (****1/2)
Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant anti-war treatise receives its Blu-ray debut on
its 25th anniversary. The remastered jewel accentuates the bright colors and
shimmering interiors of Douglas Milsome’s stunning photography.
Matthew Modine stars as the novice soldier who goes through boot camp
and then on to fight in the Vietnam war. The film’s second half takes
place more or less on the battlefield as Kubrick delivers a scathing
examination of war-time activities. With Vincent D’Onofrio, Lee Ermy.
Rated R, 117 minutes. The new two disc set comes with a
48 page booklet, complete with several articles. Supplements include
commentary from a quartet of participants, the 31 minute featurette
“Full Metal Jacket: Between Good and Evil,” and the new to DVD,
hour long documentary “Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes.”
Chimpanzee ***1/2)
Tim llen narrates this latest engaging feature from Disneynature. The
film crew led by Martyn Colbeck and Bill Wallauer follows the
seemingly innocent actions of young chimp Oscar as he frolics with
his mother and other fellow creatures. But tragedy hits in the form
of an attack by another group of chimps, leaving Oscar orphaned. He
struggles but eventually survives and then thrives when adopted by
another Alpha male. Touching but not trite and expertly assembled by
the Disney team.
Rated G, 78 minutes. The DVD, in all formats and various
combo packs, offers a variety of materials, including featurettes on
both the “See ‘Chimpanzees,’ Save Chimpanzees” conservation
program and “Disney’s Friends for Change.” The Blu-ray also
offers seven additional “making of” featurettes: such as “30
Years in the Making” (about the famous team of chimp researchers),
“The Heart of the ‘Chimpanzee,” and more. Plus: a music video and
a “making of” featurette on the music video.
Kids might enjoy something from a flavorful assortment
of offerings from Walt Disney Studios this week:
The Rescuers–35th Anniversary Edition, The Rescuers: Down Under
Disney has packaged two favorites for their Blu-ray and
HD digital initial appearances. Follow two intrepid mice, Bernard
(voice of Bob Newhart) and Bianca (Eva Gabor), as they embark on
separate adventures, traversing the Devil’s Bayou and exploring the
Australian Outback, all while avoiding chasing hordes.
Both are rated G, and both run around 78 minutes. The
set comes in all formats and various combo packs that include various
supplements on each; so check labels. Included are a sing-a-long
feature, a deleted song, an animated short feature, a “making of”
featurette, a Disney True Life Adventure documentary, and more.
The Tigger Movie
In this new Blu-ray edition of A.A. Milne’s creation set
in the Hundred Acre Wood, Tigger (voice of Jim Cummings) attempts to
locate other Tiggers in his family. Friends Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit and
Piglet join in the quest.
Rated G, 77 minutes. This new release offers the “Disney
Intermission” feature, a featurette with director Jun Falkenstein
and others discussing Tigger and his literary legacy, ten “Winnie
the Pooh” shorts, a sing-a-long segment, a music video, and more.
The Aristocats
In this Disney classic, featuring songs by the legendary
Sherman brothers, Parisian cat Duchess (voice of Eva Gabor) and her
three kittens inherit a fortune only to have a scheming family butler
try to steal it. A wizened Tom Cat (Phil Harris) saves the day but
only after big adventures for everyone.
Rated G, 79 minutes. This new arrival, available in all
formats and Blu-ray, includes a deleted song, a segment on the
Shermans, additional songs, music videos, and more.
The Lady and the Tramp II—Scamp’s Adventure—special edition
In this Blu-ray debut, Lady and the Tramp’s sneaky puppy Scamp (voice of
Scott Wolf) heads off for his own risky venture. He wants to be free
of his pesky parents, so he escapes and joins a rough group of
junkyard dogs.
Rated G, 69 minutes. The disc, in all formats and combo
packs, contains commentary, a “making of” featurette, a
sing-a-long song, Pluto animated shorts, a puppy trivia track, and
more.
And, finally, from this week’s TV arrivals:
The Closer: the complete seventh and final season
Cable TV’s most popular show arrives on DVD in record
time after its August 13 finale. In an eventful ending season, Emmy
winner Kyra Sedgwick finishes her stellar run as detective Brenda
Leigh Johnson, the head of Los Angeles major crimes division. After
dealing with her sick father (Barry Corbin), as well as battling lawsuits and a
particularly annoying suspect who has managed to remain free, Johnson
seems to have a chance to settle scores before finally leaving. But
maybe not, showing that this series departs while still filled with
surprises.
Not rated, 892 minutes. The collection of twenty-one
episodes on five discs also offers a five minute gag reel, unaired
scenes, two music videos, and an entertaining 44 minute roundtable
with cast and crew.
Mike and Molly—season two
The 23 episodes, on three discs, of the sophomore season
of this breakout series feature such highlights as Molly (Emmy winner
Melissa McCarthy) making wedding plans while Mike (Billy Gardell)
takes a lackadaisical approach to the coming event—the climax of
the season. With Reno Wilson, Katy Mixon, Louis Mustillo, Cleo King
Not rated, 462 minutes. The set also includes a six
minute gag reel, and the 13 minute featurette “Mike and Molly’s
Wedding,” a behind-the-scenes look at the season’s big series
finale.
Revenge—complete first season
This new ABC hit starred Emily VanCamp as Emily Thorne,
a dangerous young woman seeking revenge throughout these initial 22
episodes, now on five discs. In the luxurious surroundings of the
Hamptons, Emily plots against the woman she believes destroyed her
family, Victoria (snarling Madeleine Stowe). But creator Mike Kelley
has delivered plenty of surprises in this exciting and promising
first season.
Rated TV-PG LSV, 946 minutes. The bounteous supplements
include commentary, two music videos, three minutes of bloopers, and
around 30 deleted scenes. Plus: four featurettes totaling around 35
minutes go “behind-the-scenes,” including a roundtable with cast
and crew, a tour of the Hamptons with actor Ashley Davenport, as well
as a segment on the show’s glamorous fashions.
Also on DVD: Bernie, The Dictator, Freelancers, Hit and Miss, House—season eight.