It’s icons week with new releases focused on some of pop culture’s most memorable characters including Mad Max, John McClane, Finn and Jake, Walter White, and the girl in the white nightgown from those ridiculously creepy Ring movies.
Plus, the latest seasons of Vexed, Pretty Little Liars, Falling Skies, the original Australian version of Wilfred and some older gems like Electra Glide in Blueand Perfect Understanding.
Oh yeah, a zombie love story, too.
As always, fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart and check out this weeks’ latest releases!
George Miller’s trilogy made a leading man out of Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky. Mad Max is set in the ravaged near-future, where a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them. But they underestimate one officer: Rockatansky. And when the bikers brutalize Max’s best friend and family, they send him into a mad frenzy that leaves him with only one thing left in the world to live for – revenge. In the amazing sequel, The Road Warrior, a full-throttle epic of speed and carnage, Max finds himself a nomad in a post-nuclear future where people kill for gasoline. Not only a sequel superior to the original, The Road Warrior is also one of the most mind-blowing stunt movies ever made. On the roads of outback Australia, the iconic loner Max, finds himself teaming up with the other scraggly defends including the Gyro Captain and the Feral Kid, to battle the fuel hoarding bizarre warriors commanded by The Humungus, the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla. Max returns one final time in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome as he becomes the savior of a tribe of lost children and battles the power-mad dominatrix and ruler of Batertown, Aunty Entity (Tina Turner). Extras include commentary on Mad Max and The Road Warrior, a trailer and introduction to The Road Warrior by Leonard Maltin and the featurette, Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon.
Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season
All Hail The King. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul return in their Emmy winning roles of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman in the fifth explosive season of Breaking Bad. With Gus Fring dead, Walt’s transformation from a well-meaning family man to a ruthless drug kingpin is nearly complete. Forming a partnership with Jesse and Mike (Jonathan Banks), Walt proceeds to make a killing until the fruits of his murderous schemes are threatened by a new development in the investigation led by his relentless brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris). Executive produced by Vince Gilligan and Mark Johnson, the fifth season charts the murderous rise of Walter White as he reaches new highs, and new lows. Extras include “Chicks ‘n’ Guns” – A newly produced exclusive scene starring Aaron Paul, Bob Odenkirk and Charles Baker, Three Uncensored Episodes, Deleted & Extended Scenes, Gag Reel, Behind-the-Scenes of “Chicks ‘n’ Guns”, Cast and Crew Commentaries on Every Episode with Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Laura Fraser and More, “Nothing Stops This Train” Featurette, “The Cleaner: Jonathan Banks as Mike”, Prison Stunt Rehearsal, “Writers’ Room Timelapse” – 12 days of breaking Episode 504, shot by Vince Gilligan and narrated by the Breaking Bad Writers, Jesse Plemons & Laura Fraser Audition Footage, Gallery 1988 Art Show, Chris Hardwick’s All-Star Celebrity Bowling, 19 Episodes of Inside Breaking Bad, Scene by Scene: Directors Discuss Memorable Moments and The Writers of Breaking Bad.
A Good Day to Die Hard
John McClane (Bruce Willis), the heroic New York cop with a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time takes him all the way to Russia to track down his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney), who has been imprisoned in Moscow. But the mission takes a deadly turn as father and son must join forces to thwart a nuclear weapons heist that could trigger World War III and quite possibly repair the damage to their own estrangement. Twenty five years after the classic original Die Hard was released, this new chapter offers plenty of action. Extras include an extended cut of the film, deleted scenes, an hour long behind-the-scenes making of the movie documentary, concept art, trailers and commentary.
The only thing missing is a Gruber.
Electra Glide in Blue
He’s taking justice into his own hands. The only thing good-hearted motorcycle cop John Wintergreen (Robert Blake) wants is to become a detective, to wear a big Stetson, smoke fancy cigars and be paid to think. So when he stumbles upon a dead body, he takes on the case-and proves his stuff! But as soon as he’s promoted, the corruption he must tolerate makes the Stetson not fit so well and the cigars not taste so good. Forced to confront his own disillusionment, Wintergreen heads out on his bike, the Electra Glide, where he makes another shocking discovery that could cost him his life. Extras include commentary and introduction by director James William Guercio and original theatrical trailer.
Escape From Planet Earth
The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at BASA. When BASA’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an SOS from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects Gary’s warnings and bounds off for yet another exciting mission. But when Scorch finds himself caught in a fiendish trap set by the evil Shanker (William Shatner) it’s up to scrawny, risk-adverse Gary to do the real rescuing. As the interplanetary stakes rise to new heights, Gary is left to save his brother, his planet, his beloved wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker) and their adventure hungry son Kip.
Falling Skies: The Complete Second Season
It’s been nearly one year since the aliens attacked leaving most of the world completely incapacitated. Reality has set in, and it’s a whole new world. Season two of Falling Skies follows the 2nd Massachusetts on their quest to Charleston, South Carolina to find more human survivors and fighters from the continuous alien attacks. Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) tries to keep the resistance fighters and his family in line, while new dangers and returning enemies seem to greet them at every stop. Also starring are Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton and Drew Roy. Extras include One Page at a Time: Writing the 2nd American Revolution, The Skitter Evolution, A Fan’s Perspective: Touring the Set, Behind the Scenes Featurette, Season 2 Animated Trailer, Created by Dark Horse Comics, Season 3 Preview and Audio Commentaries.
Home Sweet Home
Gwen Stevens (Alexandra Boylan) is at a crossroads in her life and needs a safe, quiet place to get her head together. But when she arrives at the house of her deceased parents in the remote New Mexico desert, she realizes that her peaceful refuge has become home to a pair of psychotic squatters with plans of their own. Now, miles from civilization and possible rescue, Gwen finds herself trapped, tormented and waging a desperate fight to escape the brutal intruders who have moved in… and who now want her life.
The Horde
It’s the 14th century and half of Eurasia is occupied by the Horde – the most savage and feared empire on earth. Europe is waiting with trepidation for attack, anticipating the death of Christian civilization. It is here that The Horde unfolds, an epic adventure and international blockbuster depicting the rise and fall of the great Khan, leader of the Mongol Horde. It is a barbaric story like no other.
Brooklyn Castle
This documentary from director Katie Dellamaggiore tells the stories of five members of the chess team at a below-the-poverty-line inner city junior high school that has won more national championships than any other in the country. The film follows the challenges these kids face in their personal lives as well as on the chessboard, and is as much about the sting of their losses as it is about the anticipation of their victories. Ironically, the biggest obstacle thrust upon them arises not from other competitors but from recessionary budget cuts to all the extracurricular activities at their school. Brooklyn Castle shows how these kids’ dedication to chess magnifies their belief in what is possible for their lives. After all, if they can master the world’s most difficult game, what can’t they do?
Sadako
Director Tsutomu Hanabusa helms the latest installment in the frightening Ring franchise, bringing back the most iconic figure in Asian horror, Sadako, the long haired girl in the white nightgown. A vicious spirit, hungry for blood and souls, Sadako waits. What began as a haunted videotape, passed from hand to cursed hand all those years ago in The Ring, has only gotten easier to find. Sadako waits. And it’s not just on tape anymore. This time her reign of terror is extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. At a local high school, there is a rumor about an online video of someone committing suicide. If it were only a prank, or the work of a deranged artist in town, the students wouldn’t be killing themselves after watching it, would they? The police would have a theory about the quickly-growing body count? And what about the woman in white with long hair? Sadako is always hungry. And she’s no longer alone. Extras include a trailer.
Warm Bodies
A funny new twist on a classic love story, Warm Bodies is a poignant tale about the power of human connection. After a zombie epidemic, R (Nicholas Holt). a highly unusual zombie encounters Julie (Teresa Palmer), a human survivor, and rescues her from a zombie attack. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human – setting off an exciting, romantic and often comical chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world. Also starring Rob Corddry, Dave Franco, Analeigh Tipton, Cory Hardrict and John Malkovich. Extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel, commentary and featurettes.
Vexed: Series 2
London cop Jack Armstrong (Toby Stephens) has been assigned a new partner, and he’s not happy about it. Worried that “George” will cramp his freewheeling style and tell him how to do his job, Jack is shocked to meet bright, beautiful DI Georgina Dixon (Miranda Raison) instead. The two detectives couldn’t be more different. He’s a slacker; she’s a fast-tracker. He’s cocky, she’s cool. He’s slovenly, sexist, and set in his ways. She’s smart, self-reliant, and serious about her career. In spite of themselves, they learn to work together, solving a murder at a car dealership and the gruesome death of a headmaster at an exclusive school, among other cases.
Charlie Zone
Every city has its mean streets. Amanda Crew and Glen Gould star in this bare-knuckle thriller about a disgraced aboriginal boxer, now reduced to backstreet brawls for chump change. But when he’s hired to kidnap a runaway from a local drug house, the two will bust open a nightmare of violence, betrayal, desperate choices and dark secrets. For a last-chance fighter who won’t stay down and a long-damaged girl who’s finally standing up, is staying alive only half the battle? Mpho Kaoho , Jennie Raymond and Cindy Sampson co-star in this hard-hitting drama about rage, revenge and redemption in a hellhole called Charlie Zone.
Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Third Season
A long summer vacation appears to be just what Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer needed to heal from the traumatic year that included Maya’s murder and learning Mona was “A.” Things may seem “normal,” but the four girls are hardly over what happened. As school starts and the second anniversary of Alison’s death approaches, what begins as an attempt to leave the past behind ends with a shocking new nightmare. With the unearthing of family secrets and shifting alliances among the girls’ intimate relationships, sinister new mysteries unfold…mysteries that the girls are desperate to solve in order to clear their names and find out the truth behind Alison’s last days – and to stay alive. Based on Sara Shepard’s best-selling books, this season’s suspense builds and the scares come lightning-fast. Extras include Who is “A” featurette, Alternate Endings, Bonus Webisodes, Unaired Scenes, and Gag Reel.
Perfect Understanding
Cinema icons Gloria Swanson and Laurence Olivier made just one film together, the priceless comedy of errors, Perfect Understanding, a 1933 Ealing Studios Comedy with a screenplay by Michael Powell. Judy (Swanson) and Nicholas (Olivier) are a young society couple who marry based on the “perfect understanding” that they will be allowed to enjoy extramarital adventures and never let jealousy come between them. That arrangement is soon put to the test. During their honeymoon, they go to Cannes to spend time with friends. Judy decides to go back to London to set up their new home, but insists Nicholas remain with their Riviera friends.
One night, when drunk, Nicholas sleeps with a former lover (Nora Swinburne, The Forsyte Saga); when he returns to Judy, he is guilt-ridden and confesses his indiscretion. She forgives him, but Nicholas is soon battling his own feelings of jealousy when he comes to believe that Judy has slept with an old friend of hers (John Halliday). Extras include two shorts from 1933: Husband’s Reunion and Dream Stuff, both produced by another icon of early screen comedy, Mack Sennett.
It’s A Disaster
Eight friends meet for their monthly “couples brunch.” But what starts as an impromptu therapy session / airing of domestic grievances takes a sudden, catastrophic turn when the city falls victim to a mysterious attack. Trapped in the house and unsure of their fates, these seemingly normal people become increasingly unhinged to hilarious, surprising, and revealing results. Rachel Boston, Kevin M. Brennan, David Cross, America Ferrera, Jeff Grace, Erinn Hayes, Blaise Miller, Julia Stiles star in this fast-paced ensemble comedy from writer/director Todd Berger about the worst brunch ever: the eggs are cold, the tensions are high, and the end is near. Extras include commentary, viral videos, featurettes, comic-con panel and trailer.
23:59
During a routine road march at an island military training camp, an army recruit is found dead at exactly 23:59. This mysterious and gruesome incident unearths a terrifying dark secret of the haunted island, forcing the recruits to confront their deepest fears in order to find the truth about their friend’s death. From director Gilbert Chan and starring Tedd Chan, Stella Chung, and Philip Hersh. Extras include feaurettes and trailers.
Wilfred: The Complete Series
Adam (Adam Zwar) can hardly believe his luck when he’s invited home by Sarah (Cindy Waddingham), a gorgeous young woman he met at a rock concert. This joy is quickly turned on its head when Adam meets Wilfred. Adam sees Wilfred (Jason Gann) as a man in a dog suit, but to everyone else Wilfred is just a dog. Wilfred is determined to make Adam feel as uncomfortable as possible and sabotage his chances with his loving owner Sarah. Adam is forced to question his sanity after his life is turned into a psychological war with a pot smoking, beer swilling, foul mouthed, yet strangely insightful nine- year old dog who thinks he’s human. Included are 16 episodes from the original Australian series. Extras include Behind The Scenes vignettes, a crew montage, ‘Making Of’ featurettes, outtakes, bloopers and trailers. Wilfred was one of Australia’s most lauded contemporary television shows and since 2011, a successful American adaptation starring Jason Gann has aired the FX Network.
Just Like Being There
Director Scout Shannon examines the acclaimed documentary focusing on the art of gig posters, promotional art used to advertise a band’s appearance at a local venue. The film reveals how a community of dedicated artists has created a unique means of expression and now are creating art that’s becoming valued collectibles, some selling for thousands of dollars. Just Like Being There looks at the origins and artists behind this community and profiles artists such as Daniel Danger and Jay Ryan, who are at the forefront of an expansion of the gig poster genre, as galleries like Austin’s Mondo and Los Angeles’ Gallery 1988 showcase their works and allow them to reach a greater public beyond the music fans who are their intended audience. However, in a community with strong roots dating back to the 1960s, this expansion into the larger art world is controversial – refreshing to some, sacrilegious to others. Extras include deleted scenes, band interviews and a Daniel Danger poster montage.
Adventure Time-Complete 1st Season
Adventure Time-Complete 2nd Season
Welcome to the imagination of Pendleton Ward and to the post apocalyptic adventures of Finn (Jeremy Shada), a human boy with a funny hat, and his friend Jake (John DiMaggio), a magic and mischievous dog. Set in a faraway kingdom called Ooo, Finn and Jake are out to have the most fun possible as they thwart the misunderstood but mostly evil Ice King, save Princess Bubblegum (Hynden Walch), battle candy zombie, a pie-throwing robot, rock out with Marceline the bass-playing Vampire Queen and encounter “Ricardio the Heart Guy,” a living heart.
Among the recurring cast members are petulant extraterrestrial Lumpy Space Princess and sentient but playable video game console Beemo. Guest voices include Tom Kenny, Dee Bradley Baker, Maria Bamford, John Kassir, Mark Hamill, George Takei, Brian Posehn, Erik Estrada, Andy Milonakis, Clancy Brown, Michael Dorn, Kevin Michael Richardson, Lou Ferrigno, Thomas F. Wilson, Peter Stormare, Kristen Schaal, Biz Markie, Laura Silverman, Henry Rollins, Michael J. Anderson, Andy Samberg, Ron Perlman and more.
Adventure Time is a combination of childhood innocence mixed with an adult self-awareness that makes an unforgettable, charming and magical experience. Extras include commentary, interviews, animatics, featurettes, music video and more.
Identity Thief
Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy lead an all-star cast which includes Morris Chestnut, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, John Cho, Eric Stonestreet and Genesis Rodriguez. Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Orlando. There’s only one glitch: she’s financing her shopping sprees with an ID stolen from Sandy Patterson (Bateman), an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Patterson is forced to extreme measures to clear his name. Extras include featurettes, alternate takes and a gag reel.
The Last Ride
Before Elvis, before Johnny Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the
first bad boy star of American Music was Hank Williams. He is now
regarded as the greatest country music star of all time, and the
grandfather of country-western. Based on the controversial his life story, The Last Ride
tells the powerful tale of country music’s original bad boy. The man,
the myth and the music come together when Williams travels from Alabama
to a series of New Years shows in West Virginia and Ohio. This
remarkable journey leads straight into the heart and soul of the
legendary performer…as he takes one last shot at redemption during his last trip from Alabama to Ohio in December 1952.. Featuring
all-new versions of Hank Williams’ greatest songs, this emotional tale
of hope and truth is one you’ll never forget. The cast includes Henry Thomas, Fred Dalton Thomas, Jesse James, Kaley Cuoco, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Ray McKinnon . Extras include a featurette.
