New to On Demand & DVD

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 20-26: Here’s your chance to catch a couple of Oscar-nominated films you may have missed (and one that didn’t, but possibly should have gotten a nomination, All Is Lost).  All Is Lost Robert Redford goes it alone — literally, there is no one else in the cast — in this survival tale about a man trying to keep his damaged boat afloat amid a stormy sea. Directed by J.C. Chandor (Margin Call). (PG-13, 1:47) 1/21 Blue Jasmine Woody Allen directs this story about a troubled New York socialite whose husband is sent to prison, a development that forces her […]

Vin Diesel returns for his third go-round as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy. The film picks up some years after the events of the previous film, The Chronicles of Riddick, with Riddick left for dead on a sun-scorched planet and forced to defend himself from an alien race of predators. Though Riddick required many visual effects, it was important to the production team to not have the entire film shot on green screen. Indeed, they wanted sets that could anchor the actors in their environment. Production designer Joseph Nemec designed the […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 13-19 Here are some of the highlights of this week’s DVD/On Demand new releases: Lee Daniels’ The Butler (pictured) The director of Precious helms this inspirational drama about a black man who served seven presidents during his tenure as a butler in the White House, giving him a rare viewpoint of some seminal events in U.S. history. Based on a true story. Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack (PG-13, 2:12) 1/14 Fruitvale Station Based on the tragic true story of Oscar Grant III (Michael B. Jordan), this moving drama focuses on the last day of […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 6-12 The Act of Killing Indonesian, subtitled in English. This documentary examines a country where death squad leaders are celebrated, challenging them to reenact their mass-killings in the style of movies they love. Anwar Congo (TV-MA, 2:02) 1/7 Back in the Day Unsatisfied with his career, Jim Owens heads home for his high school reunion. Jim tries to rally his friends for some good old-fashioned partying, but finds himself falling for the girl who got away. Available On Demand before DVD. Michael Rosenbaum, Nick Swardson (R, 1:34) 1/7 Closed Circuit In this international suspense thriller, a […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Dec. 30-Jan. 5 A quiet start to the new year. Winnie Mandela is a timely option, in light of Nelson Mandela’s recent death. Other titles may be unfamiliar, but if you check the lists of cast members below, you’re sure to see some familiar names … Attila When American soldiers inadvertently steal Attila the Hun’s secret riches, the wrath of the barbarian is awakened. The mummified warrior will stop at nothing to kill the intruders. Chris Conrad, Anthony C. Ferrante, Tiffany Adams (1:30) 1/1 The Best Offer Geoffrey Rush is an eccentric art auctioneer obsessed with an heiress/collector. […]

Did You Know … “Despicable Me 2″ Trivia The Minions are back! In Despicable Me 2, Gru (voice of Steve Carell), having retired from crime to raise his daughters, is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a new foe, one that turns the lovable little Minions into wild creatures. Here are some fun facts about the sequel: • In the first movie, Kevin the Minion has one eye, in the sequel another Minion named Kevin has two eyes and is taller. • Kristen Wiig is also back for Despicable Me 2, but she voices a different character […]

On Demand DVD New Releases 12/23-29 It may be something of a quiet week in terms of the number of new releases, but there’s still a range of options for any Christmas celebrations you may be having (or avoiding): From the family-friendly Despicable Me 2 (really, who doesn’t love the Minions?)to the indie favorite Don Jon. If the holidays put you in the mood for frights, rather than festivities, try Insidious: Chapter 2, Open Grave, Mischief Night or You’re Next.  Despicable Me 2 Having retired from crime to raise his daughters, Gru (voice of Steve Carell) is recruited by the Anti-Villain […]

The film Kick-Ass 2 picks up several months after the events that unfolded in the first movie. The comic book series that serve as source material for the film are Kick-Ass 2 and Hit-Girl. The titles follow lead characters Mindy and Dave as they struggle to keep their identities as Hit Girl and Kick-Ass a secret while she trains him to be a better hero who can take a much-less-forgiving punch. Meanwhile, their nemesis Red Mist/Chris returns to the series with an increasingly psychotic new attitude and an unprintable name change to match. Forming a group of super-villains, Chris takes […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Dec. 16-22 It’s all about Hugh Jackman this week (well, not all) with both Prisoners and The Wolverine premiering. Matt Damon shares the space, with the debut of Elysium and Robert De Niro joins the fun with The Family. If you are a fan of One Direction (or, you’ve got a fan in the household) the documentary about the band, One Direction: This Is Us, also becomes available this week. Elysium Matt Damon stars in director Neill Blomkamp’s (District 9) sci-fi allegory about an ex-con who must find passage to the orbiting space station housing the rich […]