Category Archives: Video Verdict

Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘The Judge,’ ‘Fury,’ ‘The Book of Life’ and ‘Before I Go to Sleep’

From left to right, Shia LaBeouf, Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman (rear), Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal star in the war drama “Fury”   Photo courtesy of Sony

From left to right, Shia LaBeouf, Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman (rear), Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal star in the war drama “Fury”Photo courtesy of Sony

There is a strong slate of home video releases this week, and it is anchored by a movie that helped actor Robert Duvall earn his seventh Academy Award nomination.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘The Boxtrolls,’ ‘Lucy’ and ‘Annabelle’

The title characters from the stop-motion animated movie “The Boxtrolls” are sadly misunderstood.   Photo courtesy of Focus Features

The title characters from the stop-motion animated movie “The Boxtrolls” are sadly misunderstood.

Photo courtesy of Focus Features

This week’s major home video releases include two R-rated thrillers and a family friendly animated film.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘Love Is Strange’

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) becomes the chief suspect when his wife goes missing in the David Fincher thriller “Gone Girl.”  Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) becomes the chief suspect when his wife goes missing in the David Fincher thriller “Gone Girl.”

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

A pair of R-rated dramas anchor this week’s major home video releases.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Boyhood’ and ‘Get On Up’

Ellar Coltrane stars in the Richard Linklater film “Boyhood.”  Photo courtesy of Paramount

Ellar Coltrane stars in the Richard Linklater film “Boyhood.”

Photo courtesy of Paramount

This week’s home video releases are anchored by a much-hyped project from writer-director Richard Linklater.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘The Equalizer’ and ‘Tusk’

From left, Justin Long and Michael Parks star in the Kevin Smith horror film “Tusk.” Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

From left, Justin Long and Michael Parks star in the Kevin Smith horror film “Tusk.”

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

A new film from writer-director Kevin Smith and a revenge adventure starring Denzel Washington anchor this week’s home video releases.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of “Pride” and “The Good Lie”

Reese Witherspoon, left, and Ger Duany star in “The Good Lie,” a drama inspired by the real-life story of the Lost Boys of Sudan.  Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

Reese Witherspoon, left, and Ger Duany star in “The Good Lie,” a drama inspired by the real-life story of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

This year, Christmas week is slow in terms of home video. Still, two small titles are worthy of mention, and both were inspired by real-life events.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’ ‘The Maze Runner,’ ‘Magic in the Moonlight’ and ‘This is Where I Leave You’

Left to right, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo and Donatello fight the forces of evil in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”  Photo courtesy of Paramount

Left to right, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo and Donatello fight the forces of evil in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

Photo courtesy of Paramount

A Woody Allen comedy, a star-studded film about family dysfunction and two science-fiction titles lead this week’s home video releases.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ ‘Dolphin Tale 2,’ ‘When the Game Stands Tall’ and ‘Calvary’

From left to right, Zoe Saldana plays Gamora, Bradley Cooper plays Rocket, Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill, Vin Diesel plays Groot and Dave Bautista plays Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy.”   Photo courtesy of Disney

From left to right, Zoe Saldana plays Gamora, Bradley Cooper plays Rocket, Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill, Vin Diesel plays Groot and Dave Bautista plays Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Photo courtesy of Disney 

This week’s home video releases include two satisfying family films, a dark, religious drama and the top-grossing theatrical title of 2014.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ and ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’

Caesar (played in a performance-capture suit by Andy Serkis) is the leader of the ape nation in “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”  Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Caesar (played in a performance-capture suit by Andy Serkis) is the leader of the ape nation in “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox 

This week’s major home video releases include a sweet drama about the restaurant business and a big-budget, science-fiction sequel.

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Video Verdict: Reviews of ‘November Man,’ ‘A Madea Christmas’ and ‘The Giver’

Pierce Brosnan returns to the spy game in “The November Man.”  Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Pierce Brosnan returns to the spy game in “The November Man.”
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

This week’s major home video releases include a holiday film from Tyler Perry, an adaptation of a popular young adult novel and a spy thriller starring Pierce Brosnan.

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