New to View: Third ‘Museum’ outing offers some charm
By Bob Bloom
The following Blu-rays and DVDs are being released on Tuesday, March 10:
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet)
Details: 2014, Fox Home Entertainment
Rated: PG, action violence, crude humor
The lowdown: Ben Stiller returns for the third and final film in this comic franchise. In this outing, Larry Daley (Stiller) and some of his magical exhibits, including Robin Williams’ Teddy Roosevelt, travel to London to save the magic that brings the museum exhibit to life.
It’s familiar fun that offers some laughs, but it is evident that the franchise has run its course.
Available at Redbox.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English descriptive audio, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English and English descriptive audio 5.1 Dolby Digital and French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital surround; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Among the bonus offerings are deleted and extended scenes, a featurette on “Becoming Laa,” a look at the theory of relativity, a day in the afterlife featurette, a behind-the-scenes look at the British Museum, a featurette on the fight at the museum, a look at the creation of the special effects and a commentary track.
The Sound of Music: 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray + DVD + CD + Ultraviolet)
Details: 1965, Fox Home Entertainment
Rated: G
The lowdown: A five-disc set that celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of the most beloved musicals of all-time.
The film won five Academy Awards, including best picture, best actress for Julie Andrews and best director for Robert Wise.
The film, based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical, has been digitally restored and contains more than 13 hours of extras.
Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English Dolby TrueHD and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.85:1 (16×9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English Dolby TrueHD and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Among the bonus offerings are “The Sound of a City: Julie Andrews Returns to Salzburg,” several featurettes and behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the film and a CD soundtrack that includes eight international bonus tracks.
The Soft Skin: Special Edition (Blu-ray)
Details: 1964, The Criterion Collection
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: Francois Truffaut directed this drama about a literary scholar who embarks on a dangerous and unwise affair with an airline stewardess.
As the affair grows more serious, so does the film. This was the time when Truffaut was keenly influenced by the films of Alfred Hitchcock, and it shows throughout the movie.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 widescreen picture; French LPCM monaural; English subtitles.
Don’t miss: Among the supplemental materials are a video essay about Truffaut and the film, a commentary track, a 1999 documentary about Truffaut and Hitchcock and a 1965 interview with Truffaut. Also included is a booklet with an essay by Molly Haskell.
The Red Tent
Details: 2014, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A biblical drama centering on Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, who grows up inside the red tent where the women of her tribe gather.
The two-part, made-for-Lifetime feature tells the story of Rachel, Leah, Zilpah and Bilhah, the four wives of Jacob, as well as the forbidden love that changes the fate of Dinah and her family.
Available at Redbox.
Technical aspects: 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby Digital; English SDH, English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: No bonus features.
Da Vinci’s Demons: The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray)
Release date: March 3
Details: 2014, Anchor Bay Entertainment
The lowdown: In the second season of this Starz series, Leonardo da Vinci must use his mind to defend Florence against the forces from Rome.
Da Vinci also continues his search for the Book of Leaves and uncovers the secret past of his mother.
The three-disc set contains all 10 episodes of action, intrigue and betrayal.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and Spanish monaural; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a recap of the first season, a featurette on creating the new world, a look at new sets and a closer look at the series.
Super Bowl XLIX Champions: New England Patriots (Blu-ray)
Release date: March 3
Details: 2015, Cinedigm-NFL Films
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A Blu-ray that takes viewers through the Patriots 2014 season on their way to the team’s first Super Bowl victory in a decade.
This NFL Films production provides sideline access and upbeat music as you watch Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and coach Bill Belichick outfox and outplay their opponents.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: Extras include a behind-the-scenes look at Super Bowl Media Day, Super Bowl post-game ceremonies, a profile of Belichick, an interview with Gronkowski, a featurette on “Gronkology,” a look at Brady and an interview with the quarterback, the connection between Belichick and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, a 2014 sounds of the year featurette, behind-the-scenes look at game day, the quarterbacks, the playoffs and a featurette on the Super Bowl and Society.
Doctor Who: Last Christmas
Release date: Feb. 17
Details: 2014, BBC Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: In the annual Christmas special, Doctor Who (Peter Capaldi) and Clara (Jenna Coleman) face the holiday trapped in an arctic base that is under attack by some terrifying creatures.
Coming to their rescue is Santa Claus, played by Nick Frost.
Technical aspects: 16×9 anamorphic widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby Digital; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: A behind-the-scenes featurette and a commentary track comprise the major bonus offerings.
The Game
Release date: Feb. 24
Details: 2014, BBC Home Entertainment
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A spy series set during the Cold War in which a KGB defector exposes a Soviet plot to activate sleeper agents across the United Kingdom.
To counteract the threat, the head of MI5 assembles a team of trusted agents to investigate.
Being a series about double agents and double dealings, it is difficult to know who to trust, which is one of the benefits of this two-disc set.
Technical aspects: 16×9 anamorphic widescreen picture; English Dolby Digital stereo; English SDH subtitles.
Don’t miss: No extras.
The Liberator (Blu-ray)
Details: 2014, Cohen Media Group
Rated: R, graphic war violence, nudity, sexual content
The lowdown: Edgar Ramírez stars as Simón Bolívar, the 19th century political leader and revolutionary who fought to free Latin America from Spanish rule.
Not only did Bolivar liberate many territories, he helped establish many of the republics formed after the departure of the Spanish.
If the movie has one flaw, it’s that is simplifies the complex history of the South American continent.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, widescreen picture; Spanish and English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround; English and Spanish subtitles.
Don’t miss: A making of featurette and an introduction by composer Gustavo Dudamel are the major bonus offerings.
Dark Haul (Blu-ray)
Details: 2014, Scream-Shout! Factory
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A Syfy feature about a deadly creature and its half-human sister that are being transported to a more secure site.
The two are the key to a cryptic prophecy that could impact the fate of the planet.
Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English DTS-HD Master Audio.
Don’t miss: No extras.
Fireball XL5: The Complete Series
Details: 1962, ITV Studios-Timeless Media Group
Rated: Not rated
The lowdown: A five-disc set featuring another of Gerry Anderson’s shows utilizing supermarionation.
The set features all 39 episodes that follow the exploits of the World Space Patrol and Col. Steve Zodiac, commander of the flagship, Fireball XL5.
Technical aspects: 4×3 full-screen picture; English Dolby Digital monaural.
Don’t miss: Commentaries on two episodes, an interview with Anderson about supermarionation, a printable Fireball XL5 publicity brochure and a “Noble Art of Fireball XL5” featurette comprise the major bonus offerings.
Other Blu-rays and DVDs being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (DVD + Ultraviolet) (Lionsgate)
Devil May Call (DVD + Ultraviolet) (Lionsgate)
Hey Dude: The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
Listen Up Philip (Cinedigm-Tribeca Film)
Low Down (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Lo Que La Vida Me Robo (Cinedigm)
The Red Road: The Complete First Season (Anchor Bay Entertainment)
Remote Area Medical (Cinedigm)
Subconscious (DVD + Ultraviolet) (Lionsgate)
Life Partners (Blu-ray) (Magnolia Home Entertainment, March 3)
FOR KIDS
Alpha and Omega 3: The Great Wolf Games (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) (Lionsgate)
Blue’s Clues: Get Clued Into School Pack (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
Jungle Shuffle (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD) (Cinedigm)
The Legend of Korra — Book Four: Balance (Blu-ray) (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
Peppa Pig: Muddy Puddles (E One Entertainment)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Retreat! (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Collection: Volume 1 (Cinedigm-4K Media)
Barbie in Princess Power (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, March 3)
Coming next week: Exodus: Gods and Kings
Bob Bloom is a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. He reviews movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob.com., The Film Yap and other print and online publications, He can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow Bloom on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. Movie reviews by Bloom also can be found at Rottentomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.
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