This week’s home video crop is led by two family friendly offerings. One is an inspirational, live-action movie based on a true story. The other is a big-budget, animated feature bolstered by a star-studded voice cast.
Video Verdict: ‘Source Code,’ ‘Dylan Dog: Dead of Night’
Michelle Monaghan and Jake Gyllenhaal share an explosive moment in the science-fiction thriller “Source Code.”
With summer in full swing, studios have slowed their home video output a bit, but we still have a couple noteworthy titles this week. The best is a Jake Gyllenhaal science-fiction thriller that had a reasonably good theatrical run back in April.
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Video Verdict: ‘Limitless,’ ‘Take Me Home Tonight’
Robert De Niro, left, and Bradley Cooper star in the thriller “Limitless.”
Only two major theatrical releases are making their way to video this week. One is a throwback to 1980s romantic comedies. The other is a stylized thriller starring Bradley Cooper.
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Harry Potter franchise ends on a high note
The final spell has been cast and the Harry Potter movie franchise is coming to a close. Of course, you knew that.
The boy wizard’s face has been everywhere lately: trailers, movie posters, magazines, TV shows. If there’s one thing you can count on with a big-budget summer movie, it’s hype. Quality, on the other hand, is a more uncertain variable, one too often sacrificed to the gods of Lowest-Common-Denominator Programming. Thankfully, returning director David Yates and the other professionals on the Potter creative team have not wavered.
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Video Verdict: ‘The Lincoln Lawyer,’ ‘Rango,’ ‘Insidious,’ ‘Arthur’
Matthew McConaughey, left, plays attorney Mick Haller and Ryan Phillippe plays one of his troublesome clients in “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
It’s an outstanding week on home video, as a number of memorable theatrical releases are transitioning to the small screen. These include an animated movie with the voice talents of Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher, a broad comedy featuring Russell Brand and a thriller starring Matthew McConaughey.
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Video Verdict: ‘Hobo With a Shotgun’
Rutger Hauer plays the title character in “Hobo With a Shotgun,” director Jason Eisener’s tribute to the grindhouse genre.
It’s a slow week on home video, as no major theatrical releases are rolling onto DVD or Blu-ray. Still, there are a few new choices, including an independent grindhouse homage starring Rutger Hauer.
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Video Verdict: ‘Sucker Punch,’ ‘Barney’s Version,’ ‘The Warrior’s Way,’ ‘Season of the Witch,’ ‘Beastly’
Emily Browning plays Baby Doll in the fantasy adventure “Sucker Punch.”
Fans of action movies have a lot of choices on the home video front this week, including a supernatural drama set during the crusades and a mind-bending fantasy from writer-director Zack Snyder.
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Video Verdict: ‘The Adjustment Bureau,’ ‘Unknown,’ ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules,’ ‘The Eagle,’ ‘Cedar Rapids’
Liam Neeson, rear, and January Jones star in the thriller “Unknown.”
A lot of noteworthy films are making their way to home video this week, including a new action movie from Liam Neeson, a family film based on the works of writer Jeff Kinney, and a supernatural drama starring Matt Damon.
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Video Verdict: ‘Battle Los Angeles,’ ‘Hall Pass,’ ‘Red Riding Hood,’ ‘Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son’
Amanda Seyfried plays Valerie in “Red Riding Hood,” a modernization of the classic fairy tale.
This week’s major home video releases include two mainstream comedies, an update of a classic fairy tale and a science-fiction thriller starring Aaron Eckhart.
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Video Verdict: ‘True Grit,’ ‘The Company Men,’ ‘Just Go With It,’ ‘Sanctum’
Hailee Steinfeld, left, and Jeff Bridges star in the Western “True Grit.” The film is a remake of John Wayne’s 1969 picture by the same name.
This week’s home video releases are anchored by two powerful dramas: one that paints an ugly picture of corporate America and one that received 10 nominations in the most recent Oscar race.
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