Category Archives: Video Verdict

Video Verdict: ‘Jack Reacher,’ ‘Mama,’ ‘Safe Haven’

Tom Cruise plays the title character in the thriller “Jack Reacher.” The film is based on the Lee Child novel “One Shot.”

Tom Cruise plays the title character in the thriller “Jack Reacher.” The film is based on the Lee Child novel “One Shot.”

This week’s home video releases cover a lot of territory ranging from action to romance. They also sport several big name stars, the most noteworthy being Jessica Chastain and Tom Cruise.

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Video Verdict: ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ ‘The Guilt Trip,’ ‘Broken City’

Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Bradley Cooper star in the Oscar-nominated film “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Bradley Cooper star in the Oscar-nominated film “Silver Linings Playbook.”

A thriller featuring Mark Wahlberg, and a relationship drama that received eight Oscar nominations anchor this week’s home video releases.

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Video Verdict: ‘The Impossible,’ ‘Promised Land,’ ‘Gangster Squad,’ ‘A Haunted House’

Tom Holland, left, and Naomi Watts star in the disaster drama “The Impossible.”

Tom Holland, left, and Naomi Watts star in the disaster drama “The Impossible.”

After several slow weeks, the home video field is crowded once again. This week’s hefty slate of new releases includes a star-studded crime film, a lightweight horror spoof and a disaster movie that landed actress Naomi Watts her second Oscar nomination.

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Video Verdict: ‘Django Unchained’

Christoph Waltz, left, and Jamie Foxx star in writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s stylized Western, “Django Unchained.” Both Tarantino and Waltz won Oscars for their work in the film: Waltz for best supporting actor and Tarantino for best original screenplay.

Christoph Waltz, left, and Jamie Foxx star in writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s stylized Western, “Django Unchained.” Both Tarantino and Waltz won Oscars for their work in the film: Waltz for best supporting actor and Tarantino for best original screenplay.

An Oscar-winning Western by writer-director Quentin Tarantino is the only major theatrical release making its way to home video this week.

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Video Verdict: ‘Hyde Park on Hudson’

Bill Murray plays US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in “Hyde Park on Hudson.”

Bill Murray plays US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in “Hyde Park on Hudson.”

It’s another slow week on home video with a lightweight historical drama being the most noteworthy new title.

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Video Verdict: ‘Hemingway & Gellhorn’

Nicole Kidman, left, plays Martha Gellhorn and Clive Owen plays Ernest Hemingway in the HBO movie based on their relationship, “Hemingway & Gellhorn.”

Nicole Kidman, left, plays Martha Gellhorn and Clive Owen plays Ernest Hemingway in the HBO movie based on their relationship, “Hemingway & Gellhorn.”

It’s a slow week for video, with no major theatrical releases making the transition to home viewing formats. Fortunately, an excellent HBO drama is available to fill the void.

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Video Verdict: ‘Lincoln,’ ‘Killing Them Softly,’ ‘Parental Guidance,’ ‘The Collection’

Daniel Day-Lewis won a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the title character in director Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.”

Daniel Day-Lewis won a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the title character in director Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by a terrific historical drama that was nominated for 12 Oscars, including best picture.

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Video Verdict: ‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘The Hobbit,’ ‘This is 40’

Jessica Chastain landed a best actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a U.S. intelligence operative in “Zero Dark Thirty.”

Jessica Chastain landed a best actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a U.S. intelligence operative in “Zero Dark Thirty.”

This week’s home video releases include several key players from the most-recent Academy Awards race.

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Video Verdict: ‘Life of Pi,’ ‘Rise of the Guardians,’ ‘Hitchcock’

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) and a fierce Bengal tiger named Richard Parker are forced to share a lifeboat in director Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi.”

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) and a fierce Bengal tiger named Richard Parker are forced to share a lifeboat in director Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi.”

This is an excellent week for home video, as the new releases include a top-notch animated movie, a solid biopic about director Alfred Hitchcock and a drama that won four Academy Awards.

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Video Verdict: ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2,’ ‘Red Dawn,’ ‘Playing for Keeps,’ ‘Wreck-It Ralph’

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.”

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.”

This week’s home video releases are anchored by the final installment of the popular “Twilight” franchise.

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