In honor of the holiday of love, here are the Blu-rays and DVDs that I love the most this winter.
“The Armstrong Lie” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) hits home, big time. After all, it was right here, at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis in October 1996, when famous Tour de France cyclist Lance Armstrong was treated for cancer. It was there that Betsy Andreu’s claims she overheard Armstrong tell doctors he had taken performance-enhancing drugs. This fine film, written and directed by Alex Gibney, contains bonus features that include a question-and-answer segment with Andreu and others.
“Ender’s Game” (Summit Entertainment) takes Indiana’s favorite action hero (Harrison Ford of “Indiana Jones” fame), puts him in the near future to battle a hostile alien race. Add Ben Kingsley, and you have nonstop action that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
More action erupts in “Seal Patrol” (Lionsgate), where elite operatives attempt to retrieve a physicist who holds the key to an unprecedented energy source. Eric Roberts stars.
“Wadjda” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is the first-ever feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, and shows how much females must overcome in that land. The critically acclaimed film is heartbreaking, to be sure, but adds undeniable elements of humor and inspiration.
“Captain Phillips” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) was my favorite big-time movie released to home viewing in January. Tom Hanks is simply amazing during this emotionally charged film that thrills, outrages and educates all at once.
“Terraferma” (Cohen Media Group), like “Captain Phillips,” is another Oscar nominee – but for best foreign-language film. This Italian film is a moving drama beautifully set on the Sicilian seaside. The imagery is dreamy as it tells the tale of members of two families who become fatefully intertwined.
“Dallas Buyers Club” (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) stars Matthew McConaughey like you’ve never seen him, as a freewheeling Texas cowboy who suddenly has only 30 days to live after being diagnosed as HIV-positive. Jennifer Garner and Steve Zahn co-star. Carmel resident Dick Hansen was the sound mixer on the movie and recorded most of the sound.
“Counselor” (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment) is a highly anticipated release of the Ridley Scott movie. Michael Fassbender stars as a lawyer who helps bad people get off scot-free, and then tries to use those connections for a quick-cash drug deal. To say it doesn’t go down the way he planned would be an understatement. Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz sizzle.
What would Valentine’s Day be without a good romantic comedy? “Austenland” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) gives a modern twist to the timeless tales of Jane Austen romance novels. What a novel idea! Keri Russell and JJ Feild light up the screen.
“Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” (Paramount Home Media Distribution) is a laugh-your-jackass-off kind of film. Johnny Knoxville replicates the same hilarity as the original in his role as an 86-year-old crotchety man.
“Life’s an Itch” (Monarch Home Entertainment) is likewise amusingly funny as a thirty-something father of two fights temptation as his wife goes on vacation with the kids but invites her open-minded, sexy yoga instructor to stay in the guesthouse while she’s away.
TV titles
“Dallas: The Complete Second Season” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) is the last chance to marvel at the acting of the late Larry Hagman. The four-disc set contains all 15 episodes, plus over 3.5 hours of bonus features, which include an extensive interview with Hagman.
“Farscape: The Complete Season Two” (Cinedigm) has been re-released to Blu-ray (and DVD) as a 15th-anniversary edition. Besides the complete, uncut episodes, there are an impressive array of bonus features.
“Newhart: The Complete Second Season” (Shout! Factory) brings back pleasant memories of this underrated 1980s show, which too often flies under the radar. Bob Newhart and Julia Duffy get lost in a snowstorm in one episode, something very apropos this winter.
“The Red Skelton Show: The Lost Episodes” (Timeless Media Group) tugs at the heartstrings of Hoosiers, as Indiana native Skelton is revealed on16 episodes never previously released. This is a true treasure trove for all comedy fans. Impressive bonus features include episodes where Jackie Gleason, Arthur Godfrey and Danny Thomas fill in for Skelton.
“Downton Abbey: Season 4” (PBS Distribution) is a mega-mighty release for which millions are scurrying. What’s not to like? There are 525 minutes of Hugh Bonneville and the gang, plus more than 30 minutes of bonus video.
“Treme: The Complete Series” (HBO Home Entertainment) is the gift that will always keep giving because, well, it certainly is “complete” with all 36 episodes, plus commentaries, featurettes and an exclusive bonus disc with 15 music videos.
“Sherlock: Season 3” (BBC Worldwide) features London’s greatest consulting detective in not only all the episodes, but three exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes.
“The Americans: Season 1” (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment) is unique in its premise of undercover Russian spies in 1980s Washington. The Blu-ray or DVD is a perfect entry point for fans who have not seen this excellent series about a typical suburban couple (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) who are actually KGB agents. A plethora of extras supplement the disc.
Oldies but goodies
“Nicholas Sparks Limited Edition DVD Collection” (Warner Home Video) is a can’t-miss Valentine’s gift. Sparks, a University of Notre Dame graduate, has written some of the best novels that have been made into romantic movies, and this huge boxed set has them all: “Safe Haven,” “The Lucky One,” “Dear John,” “Nights in Rodanthe,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Message in a Bottle” and “The Notebook.” Wow!
More romance flows in the Warner Home Video releases of “Two Weeks Notice” (Hugh Grant) and “City of Angels” (Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage) onto Blu-ray. Magnificent picture for magnificent romance stories.
“Home in Indiana” (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment) has Hoosier written all over it. Based on the Saturday Evening Post story, the 1944 movie stars Walter Brennan that bring together a boy and a tomboyish girl.
“Rocky Heavyweight Collection” (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment) is a Blu-ray exclusive the packages together every “Rocky” film starring Sylvester Stallone, but bonus features that vary from 8mm home movies of the 1975 “Rocky,” to Stallone on “Dinah!” in 1976 an more.
My all-time favorite comedy, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” has been released onto Blu-ray by Criterion Collection, making this viewer happy, happy, happy, happy. The 1963 Stanley Kramer film, starring Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers and a host of others, is back and better than ever, due to a restored digital transfer of the general release version of the film and a new high-definition transfer of the 197-minute extended version of the film using material from the longer original road-show version. Some of these scenes have been returned to the film for the first time. Bonus features are beyond impressive.
Family ties
“The Jungle Book” (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment) is back for Diamond Edition treatment, which is a treat for all fans. Fantastic voice talent of Phil Harris and Sebastian Cabot never sounded better, and a multitude of all-new Blu-ray features, including a conversation about the music, an alternate ending and more, are much appreciated.
“The Adventures of Champion the Wonder Horse: The Complete Series” (Film Chest Media Group) brings back long-ago memories of the 1955 black-and-white show, inspired by the popular Gene Autry radio show and Dell comic books of the 1940s. Twenty-three of the original 26 episodes of the Western have been restored.
“Justice League: War” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) delivers an action-packed addition to the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies, and includes four nifty featurettes and a sneak peak at “Son of Batman.”
“Regular Show: Mordecai and Margaret Pack” (Warner Home Video) includes 16 themed episodes plus a never-seen bonus clip. Now, that’s not regular!
“Max & Ruby: Everybunny Loves Spring” (Paramount Home Media Distribution) is worth watching for the simple fact that it’s about spring, which we desperately need. Twelve episodes will have you and the kids feeling hopeful.
Best of the rest
“Unidentified” (MPI Media Group) is a must-see; a sci-fi thriller comedy set in Las Vegas. Four young pals get in trouble with a loan shark and try to skip town, but find themselves stranded in the desert. Soon, they realize something unearthy may be stalking in the wilderness. It’s hard to identify any other film that cleverly combines sci-fi, suspense and comedy like this one.
“Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth” (HBO Home Entertainment) is of special interest to Indianapolis viewers due to the historic court decision involving Tyson here two decades ago. This DVD is raw, honest and powerful, yet full of humor.
“On the Job” (Well Go USA Entertainment) is an action-packed crime thriller inspired by a real-life scandal in which inmates are temporarily released from prison to work as contract killers on the behalf of politicians and military officials. That alone is enough to watch the film which contains a making-of featurette.
“Masquerade” (CJ Entertainment Group) is the real thing when it comes to political intrigue, betrayal, peril and forbidden romance. In the royal palace of Korea’s ancient Joseon Dynasty, a peasant becomes a double for the king. When the king falls into a coma, the double must put on a king of an acting performance.
“Spinning Plates” (Inception Media Group) examines the drama and challenges faced daily by owners of three very different restaurants. Viewers will find that it’s not just food that makes a restaurant, but people.
“The Summit” (IFC Films) reaches incredible heights as the film documents the 2008 climb to the top of the second-highest mountain in the world. Drama, and thrills, ensue.
“The Discovery of Eilleen Twain” (MVD Entertainment Group) is an excellent look into the early years of country-pop superstar Shania Twain . The DVD features early footage and songs from Twain, when she was a struggling artist. Packed with a bonus CD, the home release includes heartfelt renditions of “Somewhere Out There” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
“Code Red” (Entertainment One) is a terrifying horror war epic starring Paul Logan from “Days of Our Lives.” He and others must escape the infected zone before the code red alert is raised and everything is destroyed. You won’t fall asleep during this one.
“Hindenburg: The Last Flight” (Anchor Bay Entertainment) is a gripping fictional account of the famous aviation accident. Lauren Lee Smith and Stacy Keach star in the intense dramatization that includes murderous conspiracy.
“The Booker” (Indiepix Films) chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of a man who takes the idea of Platinum Championship Wrestling – an alternative to modern-day professional wrestling – to reality. The film was shot over the course of four years and shows the lengths a man takes to be a successful booker and save pro wrestling from itself.
“It’s Better to Jump” (Cinema Libre Studio) examines gentrification in the ancient city of Akka, Israel, (also known as Acre) and the conflict between its Israeli and Palestinian citizens.
“Reaching for the Moon” (Wolfe Video) provides an intimate snapshot of the search for inspiration as a poet travels to Brazil, where she meets an architect. After initial hostilities, a complicated, yet long-lasting, love affair ensues.