New in Home Entertainment
October 4, 2011
Fast Five
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, sexual content and language
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
The Fast and the Furious franchise (say that five times quickly) has been through a number of scenarios starting with a remake of Point Break and ending with, well, whatever that fourth film was. This time around Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and various other characters from the franchise find an excuse to all meet up together in Rio and The Rock is a fed that is hot on their tail. Even more so than most action films, the plot doesn’t matter here at all. This fifth installment is just one big set piece after another with the hopes that you don’t try to follow along with the filler. In spite of all the head scratching you’ll do while thinking “that couldn’t happen; that wouldn’t happen; that couldn’t happen; what the …” it’s possible to find a fairly entertaining movie here as long as you don’t think – at all. C+
Scream 4
Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and some teen drinking
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
It’s been years since the events of the first Scream and more importantly, since the franchise was relevant. Rather than trying to recapture the originality and intensity of the first film, director Wes Craven here creates a tongue-in-cheek parody of first three films. It’s clever at first but ultimately fails to impress as the expected twist makes little sense. Then again, between the comedy and the constant guessing game of “who’s the killer?” the film ends up being at least the second best in the series. C
Buck
Rated PG for thematic elements, mild language and an injury
Available on DVD
For years Buck Brannaman, the inspiration for the book and movie “The Horse Whisperer,” has traveled around the country giving workshops on riding and caring for horses. This documentary follows Buck on tour in order to discover the hows and whys behind this legendary cowboy. Beautifully shot, this is a spectacular film to both look at and absorb. And when Buck starts to discuss his childhood, you begin to understand him and his strange relationship to the equine species. There are some real heartbreaking moments throughout the film, but the glimpse of a man who has overcome the most difficult of odds to achieve such a oneness with nature proves to be a remarkable story. A-
Submarine
Rated R for language and some sexual content
Available on DVD and Blu-ray
Watching the hilarious UK import The IT Crowd, you would never imagine that the zany tech played by Richard Ayoade could write and direct a charming and original coming of age story. But alas, he has and the end product proves to be a great little slice of life pic about a teenage boy who struggles to win over his dreamgirl while at the same time keeping his parents from splitting up. It’s nothing that will blow you away, but it does turn out to be an entertaining tale that is quite funny. B
The Lion King
Rated G
Available on Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray
If you are like me you are probably shocked that the Lion King has once again become a smash hit in theaters. I would bet that Disney is surprised as well, for if they had an inkling of a clue that the film could do so well on re-release, they would have not released the Blu-ray only two weeks after opening. If you have a 3D television, you will love this new release, but even if you only have an old-fashioned blu-ray player, this high def transfer is simply amazing and worth the upgrade. In addition to some of the old special features, this new set includes deleted scenes, a deleted song and other great items worth checking out. If you are a big Disney fan, and who isn’t, also check out the new Beauty and the Beast 3D version as well as Disneynature’s African Cats, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. A