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Bradley Cooper stars as Chris Kyle in "American Sniper."
(Warner Home Video)
One of the year's most talked-about films - "American Sniper" is finally available on disc as is the complete series of "Boardwalk Empire." There are also some lesser heralded titles out as well as a plethora of TV series seasons.
"American Sniper," Warner Home Video, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 132 minutes, Rated R for strong and disturbing war violence, and language throughout, including some sexual references - Searching for meaning in his life, Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) joins the Navy and becomes a SEAL. Shortly after he marries Taya (Sienna Miller), Kyle is dispatched to Iraq. His uncanny accuracy as a sniper saves countless lives, but his prowess in war is matched by his inability to connect with his wife and children when he is home. After four tours, he finds that even in his best moments with his family he is unable to leave the war behind. It's an inordinately powerful film, made even more so by the fact that it is based on real events. Extras on the Blu-ray include a "making-of" featurette with director Clint Eastwood.
"Cymbeline," Lions Gate Home Video, 98 minutes, Rated R for some
Ed Harris has the title role in this updated version of Shakespeare's "Cymbeline."
violence - Director Michael Almereyda has updated Shakespeare's play from ancient Britain and cast it as a conflict between corrupt cops and a violent gang of bikers. Cymbeline (Ed Harris) is overly protective of her only daughter Imogen (Dakota Johnson) and when he learns that she has secretly wed Posthumus (Penn Badgley), he banishes the youth. There are all kinds of plots and subplots, and the strong cast includes Ethan Hawke, Milla Jovovich, John Leguizamo, Bill Pullman, Delroy Lindo and others. If you liked "Romeo + Juliet," chances are you'll enjoy this. Bonus features include interviews, commentaries and behind-the-scenes footage.
"Leviathan," Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 141 minutes, Rated R for language, some sensuality/graphic nudity - On the outskirts of a small town near the Barents Sea, Kolya (Aleksey Serebryakov) runs a small automotive repair shop. After the mayor tries to seize his land, Kolya enlists the aid of an old friend from Moscow, now an attorney, to help him fight back. However, things just keep going from bad to worse for Kolya as every action he takes turns into a misstep. There are obvious parallels between Kolya's misfortunes and the suffering of Job. "Leviathan" won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film and was an Academy Award nominee in that category. It's in Russian with subtitles but there is an English language track with descriptions. Special features include deleted scenes, commentaries and a "making-of" featurette.
"The Vatican Exorcisms," Anchor Bay Entertainment, 76 minutes, Rated R for brief strong language - In this found footage film that purports to be a documentary, director Joe Marino sets out for Italy to uncover the devil in the Vatican. He suggests that the Vatican is a haven for orgies, pedophilia and other unspeakable acts - without offering a shred of proof. The film then follows a priest as he performs a series of exorcisms. Those are scary and well done, but the film falls flat at the end. Watch it at your own risk. No extras.
"My Dad's a Soccer Mom," Alchemy Entertainment, 86 minutes, Not rated - After being cut by his team, former pro football player Marion (Mad Dog) Casey (Lester Speight) is tasked with taking care of his daughter Lacy (Skai Jackson) as his wife returns to work. The two soon form a close bond, and when the youngster exhibits a talent for soccer, Marion has her stop her drama and ballet classes - without telling his wife. It's a cute premise made even more endearing by the oversized Speight in the leading role.
Best of the rest:
"Lovesick" - Comedy about a guy named Charlie who goes clinically insane every time he falls in love;
"Roommate Wanted" - Two polar opposite roommates find their differences coming to a head and then turning violent;
"Strange Magic" - Animated film about goblins, elves, fairies and imps battling over a powerful potion.
This week's Blu-ray special is the release of the complete series of "Boardwalk Empire" (20 discs, $239.99). Set during the Prohibition Era, the series focus on Enoch (Nucky) Thompson (Steve Buscemi) as he tries to rule Atlantic City whilst rubbing shoulders with such figures as Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano and Al Capone. In addition to the special features from each season, the set contains a bonus disc loaded with all new extras.
Not on Blu-ray but definitely deserving consideration is "Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty: The Plantagenets" (two discs, $39.99). Hailing from Anjou in France, the Plantagenets held the English throne from 1154 to 1485. Their reign started with the ascension of Henry II and ended with the death of Richard III. Fans of "Game of Thrones" might enjoy this real-life counterpart.
Also debuting on disc this week "Welcome to Sweden" (two discs, $34.98) about a money manager who follows his true love to her homeland.
Other series now on shelves include the second season of "Orange Is the New Black" (four discs, $39.98), "Beauty and the Beast" (six discs, $49.99), "Rogue" (three discs, $29.98), the fourth season of "Call the Midwife" (three discs, $39.98) and the seventh season of "Duck Dynasty" (two discs, $19.98).
Reality TV fans might also want to check out "Bar Rescue: Toughest Rescues" and "Cops: Wild Chases" ($16.99).
For nostalgia lovers, the first season of "CPO Sharkey" (three discs, $29.95) is available as is "American Hercules: Babe Ruth" ($19.98).
New Blu-ray titles out this week include "American Sniper" ($44.95), "Leviathan" ($34.99) and "Cymbeline" ($19.99).
Catalog titles out this week include "Poltergeist" ($19.99), "The Rose" ($39.95) and "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" ($24.97).
Upcoming: "Cutbank," "The Loft," "Sword of Vengeance" "Seventh Son" (May 26) "The SpongeBob Movie," "Scarecrows" and "The Lazarus Effect" (June 2); "The DUFF" (June 9); "Beyond the Reach" (June 16); "The Longest Ride" (July 14).