Hello folks, it’s another busy edition of DVD and Blu-ray highlights. In fact, a couple of the following films were big box office hits. Be sure to click on any links to read more about them. So if you can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

Big New Releases!

Cowboys vs. Dinosaurs – Dinosaurs rise from beneath a mine in Montana and go on a rampage in this direct-to-DVD B-movie. The only person who can save a nearby town from total destruction is a disgraced ex-cowboy. Yep, the movie sounds pretty bad and apparently it is. There are only a couple of write-ups online and they call it a badly acted, poorly-executed Jurassic World knock-off. At least Eric Roberts makes an appearance to add some camp value.

Daddy’s Home – In this comedy hit, a newly married man finds himself competing for his step-children’s affection with his wife’s wild ex-husband. Reviewers complemented the two lead actors, but not much else. They suggested that despite work of its funny stars, the story was repetitive and quickly wore out its welcome. Despite the critical drubbing, the movie raked it in. In fact, it’s the second highest grossing film (non-animated) of star Will Ferrell’s career (in case you’re curious, Elf stands as his biggest box-office grosser). Donnie Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Hannibal Buress, Paul Scheer and Thomas Hayden Church also star.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 – The final chapter in The Hunger Games saga sees Katniss Everdeen return to the city capital while attempting to help pal Peeta resist the brainwashing tactics of evil President Snow. Notices were positive although not exemplary. Most wrote that it was an effective enough close to the series, but that it wasn’t as tense or thrilling as earlier movies and felt a little stretched out over its two-plus hour running time. It won’t matter to fans, though. The movie features Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore and Donald Sutherland. To read a full length review, click here.

James White – This indie drama garnered a lot of attention at film festivals and earned awards and nominations from film critic groups. It tells the tale of a twenty-something, self-destructive, layabout New Yorker struggling to care for his cancer-ridden mother. The press were positive about this mirco-budgeted feature. While they admitted the lead character wasn’t the most likable chap in the world, they found the performances excellent and called the movie a gritty, grim and authentic-looking drama that doesn’t pull any punches. The cast includes Christopher Abbott, Cynthia Nixon, Scott ‘Kid Cudi’ Mescudi, Ron Livingston and Mackenzie Leigh.

The Letters: The Untold Story of Mother Teresa aka The Letters – The Catholic missionary, famed humanitarian and Saint is depicted in this biopic, using letters that she wrote over a period of 50 years to friend Father Celeste. Critics did not care for this drama. A few felt is was a nice tribute, but the majority stated that the material was presented in a flat and obvious manner that didn’t scratch the surface of its subject, resulting in a rather dull movie. It stars Juliet Stevenson, Rutger Hauer and Max Von Sydow.

The Pearl Button – Chile and its impressive coastline is the subject of this acclaimed documentary. Viewers will see volcanoes and natural wonders of the country, followed by an examination of the plight of the country’s indigenous population as well as some of the disruptive government action taken over the years. It has been described as a gorgeously shot film that intersperses important messages in a poetic manner with deep political insight. Most reviews were raves, meaning that non-narrative movie enthusiasts will want to give it a look.

Blasts From the Past!

It’s one of the busiest weeks in recent memory for high definition reissues of catalog titles. Olive Films have a striking slate of Blu-ray titles. They include Bandits (2001) a crime comedy from Barry Levinson (Diner, Rain Man, Wag the Dog, Rock the Kasbah) about two bank robbers who fall in love with a hostage. It stars Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett. The Boost (1988) is a well regarded drama with James Woods and Sean Young about a real estate agent who becomes addicted to cocaine.

Breaker! Breaker! (1977) features Chuck Norris as a trucker out to find his missing brother. He faces of against a corrupt judge and all of the official’s thugs, no doubt kicking many in the face repeatedly as events progress. On a completely different tact, Clean Slate (1994) is a comedy that stars Dana Carvey as a private eye who suffers from amnesia. Every day when he wakes up, he must attempt to restart the investigation without remembering what happened previously.

Jinxed! (1982) is an odd caper set in a casino, featuring Bette Midler as a showgirl who falls for her husband’s mark and plots her own money-making scheme. The movie was a box office flop and is notorious for its incredibly troubled production. It’s a fascinating story and you can read all about it and the film right here. In a similar vein is the more successful thriller Kill Me Again (1989). The plot involves a mobster’s girl who steals from him and hires a private detective to help fake her own death. This twisty suspense flick stars Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley.

Comedy fans can take a trip back to the 80s with Making the Grade (1984). It’s an Animal House-style comedy set at a prep school – it stars the likes of Judd Nelson and Andrew Dice Clay. You can read a full review of the Blu-ray right here. Additionally, interested parties can check out the sequel to A Christmas Story (1983). It’s called My Summer Story aka It Runs in the Family (1994) and it involves another tale based on the writings of Jean Shepherd. The sequel came over a decade after the original, so it uses an entirely new cast that includes Charles Grodin, Kieran Culkin and Mary Steenburgen.

The Trip (1967) is a psychedelic drama about a television commercial director who becomes addicted to LSD. The flick was directed by Roger Corman and stars Peter Fonda in the lead role. Finally, Undertow (2004) is an unique drama about a rural family struggling on a farm. Centered on the clan’s rebellious young son, the story follows his reaction to the arrival of an ex-con uncle who may have ulterior motives for his visit. The cast of this well-regarded effort includes Jamie Bell, Kristin Stewart, Josh Lucas and Dermot Mulroney.

Shout! Factory have a new Blu-ray coming too. Disturbing Behavior (1998) was a thriller about a small town whose teens are well-mannered and never get into trouble. When a small group of outcasts tries to figure out why, they learn that something sinister is being done to the town’s youngsters. James Marsden, Katie Holmes and Nick Stahl take on the lead roles. Alas, this movie also featured a some post-production troubles, with the film being taken over by the studio and significantly re-cut. While the disc contains the studio version, it comes with the over twenty minutes of trims and the original ending that was re-shot. The release also includes a director commentary.

Not to be outdone, Kino have some flicks debuting in high definition as well. Interested parties can now pick up a Blu-ray of the amusing Peter Sellers comedy After the Fox (1966), about a criminal mastermind who poses as a film director in order to pull off a big gold heist. Interestingly enough, the movie was helmed by Vittorio De Sica, director of The Bicycle Thief aka Bicycle Thieves (1948).

If old fashioned sci-fi is more to your liking, The Black Sleep (1956) tells the tale of a mad doctor out to revive his wife, who is in a coma suffering from a brain tumor. He uses the title drug to anesthesize victims on the streets and practice brain surgery on them. It features Basil Rathbone, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, John Carradine and Tor Johnson.

Donovan’s Brain (1953) is an excellent B-movie classic about a scientist who becomes possessed by the nefarious brain of a mean-spirited millionaire. It forces the hero to go out and murder the dead man’s enemies. Fun stuff! Finally, Kino have the romantic comedy The War Between Men and Women (1972), in which Jack Lemmon plays a cartoonist with vision problems who send ups women in his strips – things get uncomfortable when he falls for a hot tempered lady in his ophthalmologist’s office.

Criterion also have some noteworthy Blu-rays for this edition. They include an epic drama from Taiwan called A Brighter Summer Day (1991). It’s about a love affair between two members of different gangs. This marks the US home video debut of the film and it arrives with an audio commentary from a film critic, interviews with the lead actor, a feature length documentary on the production as well as a videotaped performance of a play by the same director. They also have Tokyo Story (1953), a Japanese drama about a family living in the country just after WWII. The disc includes a film historian audio commentary, a two-hour documentary about the director, a 40 minute tribute to the director and a documentary about the lead actor’s career.

And there’s still more. Arrow have an extras packed Blu-ray/DVD combo of the popular Pam Grier exploitation flick, Black Mama, White Mama (1973). It comes with numerous actor interviews and a commentary from a filmmaker who has specialized in studying B-movies.

Also on Blu-ray from Warner Bros. is a biopic from director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Interview With the Vampire). Michael Collins stars Liam Neeson and details the IRA founder’s guerilla warfare tactics against the government during the Irish Civil War. Warner Archive have a few new made-to-order DVD releases as well. Brotherly Love (1970) is a drama starring Peter O’toole as a brother in love with his sibling. A Fine Pair (1968) is an Italian crime flick, while Melinda (1972) details the exploits of a black DJ who meets a woman only to later find her dead in his apartment. He’s been set up and must clear his name before the cops get to him.

And finally, Arthaus are distributing Ken Russell’s A View of the Planets (1982) aka The Planets, in which the filmmaker presents a hour-long visual accompaniment to the famous Gustav Holst musical suite.

You Know, For Kids!

Here are a couple of options for the kids.

ABC Monsters Starring Ijkl: Adventures in Alphabet Gardens

Monster High: Great Scarrier Reef

On the Tube!

And there’s plenty of TV shows coming as well. You’ll find the openings to two of them below, as well as a couple of fun movie trailers from older titles featured above.

American Experience: The Perfect Crime

Breakthrough (National Geographic)

Cartoon Network Hall of Fame: Courage the Cowardly Dog: Season 3

Fear the Walking Dead: Season 1

Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series

Little House on the Prairie: Season 8

Lost Girl: Seasons 5 & 6

Maude: Season 4

Monster Fish: Season 6 (National Geographic)

Nature: Moose – Life of a Twig Eater

Nova: Mystery Beneath the Ice

Nova: Secret Tunnel Warfare

Perry Mason Movie Collection: Vol. 5

The Royals: Season 2

The Sentinel: Season 2

Touched by an Angel: Amazing Grace

Touched by an Angel: Family Reunion

Turn: Washington’s Spies: Season 2

Walker Texas Ranger: Flashback

Walker Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger

Walker Texas Ranger: Something in the Shadows

Walker Texas Ranger: Standoff

Walker Texas Ranger: The Reunion

Walker Texas Ranger: The Road to the Black Bayou

Walker Texas Ranger: War Zone