The following Blu-rays and DVDs are being released on Tuesday, July 12, unless otherwise noted:
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) Details: 2016, Warner Home Video Rated: PG-13 & R, intense action violence, sexual situations The lowdown: This superhero smackdown was not received kindly in theaters, receiving a disappointing 27 percent approval rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Warner Bros. is trying to remedy that with this ultimate edition of the franchise, offering a set with the PG-13 rated theatrical version and an R-rated cut with an additional 30 minutes. Honestly, the new longer version, which puts the film at more than three hours, adds more depth and makes it more palatable. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, English 5.1 Dolby digital audio descriptive track and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles: DVD: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a look at uniting the DC cinematic super hero universe, a featurette on the Batman vs. Superman clash, a featurette that explores the history of Wonder Woman, a featurette on the new Batmobile, featurettes on the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, a behind-the-scenes look at the Batcave, a featurette on Lex Luthor and a save the bats featurette.
Miracles From Heaven (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet Details: 2016, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: PG, mature themes, including accident and medical images The lowdown: Jennifer Garner stars in this faith-based drama about a Anna Beam, a 10-year-old girl with a rare, incurable disease. Her mother, Christy (Garner), becomes a dedicated advocate for her daughter’s recovery. Later, Anna is involved in a freak accident that creates what many describe as miracle that leaves medical experts in the dark as to her extraordinary recovery. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English audio description track and French, Spanish and Thai 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English, Chinese (Cantonese, simplified and traditional), French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include an “Accounts From Annabel” featurette, deleted scenes, a commentary track, a making of featurette, a bearing witness featurette, a behind-the-scenes look at the creating Heaven concept art and a music montage.
The Dark Horse Details: 2014, Broad Green Pictures Rated: R, language, drug use The lowdown: This New Zealand feature, based on a true story, follows Genesis “Gen” Potini (Cliff Curtis), a man who has spent years moving in and out of mental institutions. He is finally released to the care of his older brother, Ariki (Wayne Hapi), who leads a street gang. When “Gen” volunteers to train a group of disadvantaged Maori children for the upcoming National Chess Championships, it causes friction with Ariki, especially since Ariki’s son takes an interest in chess. This is one of those inspirational biopics in which the underdogs defy the odds. Technical aspects: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles.
I Saw the Light (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet) Release date: July 5 Details: 2015, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rated: R, nudity, sexual content, language The lowdown: Tom Hiddleston stars as country-western music legend Hank Williams in this biopic that traces the meteoric career and tumultuous and short life of the entertainer. The movie does not glamourize Williams, but shows a flawed person who had difficulty dealing with his newfound fame as well as the toll it took on his life and health. Elizabeth Olsen gives strong support that back Hiddleston’s solid performance. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French and Thai 5.1 Dolby digital and English Dolby surround audio description track; English SDH, English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a “Night in Nashville” featurette that includes a look at the premiere and musical performances by Hiddleston; a look at the making of the movie; a featurette on Williams; deleted scenes; and a commentary track.
By the Sea (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet) Release date: July 5 Details: 2015, Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rated: R, sexual content, nudity, language The lowdown: Angelina Jolie Pitt, wrote, directed and co-starred with husband, Brad, in this drama about an American writer and his wife whose marriage is in crisis. The couple travel to a seaside resort in France to work on repairing their relationship. At the resort, they also begin interacting with other couples, including a pair of newlyweds, which help them deal with the unresolved issues in their lives. The movie is rather slow-going and ordinary in tone. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 audio descriptive track and Spanish and French 5.1 DTS digital surround; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: A making of featurette, a profile of actress Gena Rowlands and deleted scenes comprise the major bonus offerings.
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Breakout (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) Details: 2016, Warner Home Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Another LEGO adventure featuring your favorite DC characters, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Joker, Deathstroke and Bane. When Batman takes a vacation, he leaves Superman to watch Gotham City. But the Joker tricks the Man of Steel into releasing Gotham’s most dangerous villains from Arkham Asylum. Batman’s vacation turns out to be not what he expected when he, Nightwing and Batgirl discover a plot by Deathstroke and Bane to create an army that would wreak havoc. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and French and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.
My Golden Days Details: 2016, Magnolia Home Entertainment Rated: R, strong sexual content, nudity, language The lowdown: Mathieu Amalric reprises his role of Paul Dedalus in this film that finds Paul preparing to leave Tajikistan and reflecting on his life. Paul has a series of flashbacks that unfold in three episodes, including his childhood in France, his student trip to the U.S.S.R. and his university life back home. Throughout all, he remembers a young woman named Esther, who was the love of his life. Technical aspects: 2.40:1 widescreen picture; French 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a conversation with director Arnaud Desplechin, a look at the casting sessions and a featurette on the actors who play Paul and Esther at various ages.
Van Gogh (Blu-ray) Details: 1991, Cohen Film Collection Rated: R, sexual situations, nudity The lowdown: Director Maurice Pialat’s look at the last 60 days in the life of painter Vincent Van Gogh as he continues painting, battles with his brother, Theo, and has an affair with the daughter of his patron. The movie is an examination of a man consumed by his art. Pialat earned a Palma d’Or nomination for the film. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, in French with English subtitles. Don’t miss: Cast and crew interviews and deleted scenes comprise the major bonus offerings.
Flight of the Butterflies (4K UHD + 3D Blu-ray + Blu-ray + digital HD) Details: 2012, Shout! Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The immense and impressive migration of millions of Monarch butterflies is the focus of this beautiful IMAX presentation. The movie follows a scientist and his wife who spent decades unraveling the mystery of where these butterflies go every fall. The film is a colorful nature documentary that highlights the beauty of our planet. Technical aspects: 4K Ultra High Definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos and French and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles: 3D Blu-ray and Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos and French and Spanish Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: A making of featurette and a message from Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, president of Mexico from 2006 to 2012 are the main bonus offerings.
Slasher: Season One (Blu-ray) Details: 2016, Scream Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The first season of Chiller’s first original series centers on Sarah Bennett (Katie McGrath), who returns to her hometown only to find herself involved in a series of copycat killings based on the murder of her parents years earlier. As the killings continue, long-buried secrets are unearthed and everyone around her becomes either a suspect or a victim. The set includes all eight episodes of this horror-thriller series. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio and stereo; English subtitles. Don’t miss: A behind-the-scenes featurette is the major bonus component.
Traders (Blu-ray) Release date: July 11 Details: 2015, Dark Sky Films Rated: Not rated The lowdown: In a society in which many people feel lost and neglected, this odd thriller should resonate. At a time when jobs are gone, homes are being repossessed and the suicide rate is increasing at an alarming rate, one man believes he has found a solution. Through an underground online network, Vernon Stynes (John Bradley) devises trading, in which he and another individual empty their bank accounts, sell everything they own and put the cash in bags. They then travel to a remote location, dig a grave and fight to the death. The winner buries the loser, than leaves with all the money. The winner then does it over and over again, until he is rich enough to retire. This is a bleak film that makes some interesting economic and sociological points. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, widescreen picture; English 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include a making of featurette and commentary tracks.
Rocky Mountain Express (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital HD) Details: 2011, Shout! Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: An IMAX presentation that takes visitors on a steam train journey through the majestic Canadian Rockies and offers a look at the building of the first transcontinental railway. The film takes you back to the age of steam, using aerial cinematography, archival photographs, maps and breathtaking vistas to give audiences the full scope of this daunting and dangerous struggle. This is a soaring experience, no matter which format you use for viewing. Technical aspects: 4K Ultra high-definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD French and Spanish; English SDH subtitles: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 widescreen picture; English Dolby Atmos, French and Spanish Dolby digital; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include an 11-minute, 1952 film called “The Romance of Transportation in Canada” and “Railroaders,” a 22-minute 1958 documentary.
Model Hunger Details: 2015, Wild Eye Releasing Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A feature that combines elements of horror and satire as it offers a savage critique of the entertainment business. Horror icon Debbie Rochon makes her directorial debut with this tale of Ginny, a former model cast aside because of her body type. New neighbors Debbie and Sal notice strange events occurring around Ginny’s house, as a list of missing young women continues to grow. At the same time, Ginny begins sharing some of her new culinary creations with her neighbors. Consider this “Silence of the Lambs” meets the runway. Technical aspects: Widescreen picture. Don’t miss: Deleted scenes, a commentary track, a short, interviews and a music video comprise the extras.
The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: The Complete Series (DVD-R) Release date: June 28 Details: 1968-69, Warner Archive Collection Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This Hanna-Barbera TV series combined live action and animation as it took Mark Twain’s classic characters, Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher, on a series of fantastic adventures as they battle their traditional foe, Injun Joe. The 20 episodes take the trio to such places as Atlantis, Egypt, Lilliput and ancient Greece. This short-lived series featured Ted Cassidy as Injun Joe. Technical aspects: 1.37:1 (4x3) full-screen picture; English Dolby digital monaural.
Other Blu-rays and DVDs being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Stressed to Kill (Indie Rights-MVD Visual) With Child (Summer Hill Films — MVD Visual)
FOR KIDS Blaze and the Monster Machines: Fired Up! (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS AND STREAMING
All Girls Weekend (Uncork’d Entertainment) The Boss (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) Hardcore Henry (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) Lucha Mexico (Kino Lorber, July 15) Cradle to Grave, Series 1 (Acorn TV, July 18) Veep: The Complete Fifth Season (HBO Home Entertainment, July 18)
Coming next week: Miles Ahead Elvis & Nixon
Bob Bloom is a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. He reviews movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (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.