The following Blu-rays and DVDs are being released on Sept. 5, unless otherwise noted:
All Eyez on Me (Blu-ray + DVD + Ultraviolet) Details: 2017, Lionsgate Home Entertainment Rated: R, language, violence, drug use, nudity, sexual situations The lowdown: Demetrius Shipp Jr. gives a very sharp performance as Tupac Shakur in this biopic that, unfortunately, simply skims the surface of the career of this influential rapper, actor, poet and activist. The film is a formulaic genre effort that fails to fully encompass the impact of this slain artist who was taken from us much too early. The movie covers Shakur’s early years in New York City and his climb and evolution into a spokesperson and cultural icon whose music and lyrics touched millions. The feature received a limited release, as just 71 reviews were posted at Rottentomatoes.com, where most wide-released movies receive more than 100 mentions. At Rottentomatoes, the film garnered a disappointing 16 percent fresh rating, with most critics faulting the script rather than Shipp’s turn as Shakur. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a making of featurette, deleted scenes, Shipp Jr.’s audition, a featurette on transforming Shipp Jr. into Shakur and conversations about the movie.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet) Details: 2017, HBO Home Entertainment Rated: TV-MA The lowdown: Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne star in this adaptation of the best-selling nonfiction novel centering on Deborah Lacks (Winfrey) who discovers, through journalist Rebecca Skloot (Byrne), the history of the mother Lacks never knew. Henrietta Lacks cancerous cells were harvested in 1951 without the permission of her family. The use of those cells led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs in fighting cancers, saving lives and treatments for various diseases. Deborah Lacks, who suffers from some emotional problems, is angered by this discovery and wants answers as to who authorized the use of her mother’s cells and why. This is a powerful drama, abetted by strong performances by Winfrey and Byrne. The supporting cast includes Leslie Uggams, Rocky Carroll, Courtney B. Vance, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 DTS digital surround and Spanish 2.0 DTS digital surround; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental materials include Winfrey, Byrne, writer-director George C. Wolfe and members of the Lacks family discussing the legacy of Henrietta Lacks.
My Cousin Rachel (Blu-ray + DVD + digital HD) Release date: Aug. 29 Details: 2017, Fox Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, sexual content, language The lowdown: Rachel Weisz stars in this adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic dark novel about romance, suspicion and revenge. Philip (Sam Claflin), a young Englishman, believes his cousin, Rachel (Weisz), killed the man who raised him. He plots revenge, but despite evidence that Rachel may be the guilty party, he begins to fall in love with her. The novel had been filmed before, in 1952, starring Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton. This version, received a 76 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: Blu-ray: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 descriptive audio and French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; DVD: 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and English 5.1 audio descriptive track; Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Among the bonus materials are deleted scenes, a look at the costumes, a featurette on du Maurier, behind-the-scenes featurettes, scoring sessions and a commentary track.
The Flash: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray + digital) Details: 2016-17, Warner Home Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Barry Allen, aka The Flash, faces many difficult choices in this third season of his CW series. The major arc in the 23 episodes centers on Barry’s earlier decision to change the timeline. Because of that, his parents are alive and he is dating Iris West. Plus, he has stepped back so Kid Flash can now battle criminals in Central City. However, the better Barry’s life becomes, the more danger and deadly consequences grow. His archenemy, Reverse Flash, warns him of serious repercussions if he remains in the alternate Flashpoint universe. He will suffer memory loss and his powers will ultimately fade. Barry must make the ultimate choice when disaster strikes. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and Spanish 2.0 Dolby digital; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include crossover episodes with “Supergirl” and “Legends of Tomorrow,” 10 featurettes on the show’s villains and allies of Flash, a gag reel, deleted scenes and a conversation with Andrew Kreisberg and Kevin Smith.
The Wedding Plan Details: 2017, Lionsgate Home Entertainment Rated: PG, mature themes The lowdown: This Israeli romantic comedy centers on love, marriage, faith and, most importantly, the opportunities life affords people. The story centers on Michal (Noa Koler) whose fiancé calls off their wedding a month before it is to take place. Michal is adamantly against remaining single so, putting her trust in faith, continues with her wedding plans believing that Mr. Right will make his appearance by the time she is to step under the chuppah. Michal books a venue, sends out invitation and buys a dress, certain that the right man will come along at the right time. She ignores advice from family and friends and undertakes a series of disastrous blind dates in hopes of finding her groom. Will he appear in time? You will have to watch this charming feature, which earned an 84 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com, to find out. Technical aspects: 1.85:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; Hebrew 5.1 Dolby digital; English SDH, English and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: A photo gallery is the main bonus component.
NCIS: The Fourteenth Season Release date: Aug. 29 Details: 2016-17, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The 14th season of this top-rated CBS series was a transitional one, with the departure of Michael Weatherly’s Tony, the promotion of Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee and the addition of agents Nicholas Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Alexandra Quinn (Jennifer Lopez) as well as MI6 Officer Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry). Still, no matter who is on the job, the NCIS team solves cases on land and at sea, as demonstrated in this six-disc set that features all 24 episodes. Fighting terrorists, cyber threats and anti-government militias is all in a day’s work for these courageous men and women. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital surround and stereo surround; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Supplemental offerings include a table read on the episode “Nonstop,” part two of the “Pandora’s Box” “NCIS: New Orleans” crossover episode and a behind-the-scenes look at the episode, an overview of the season, a look at the new agents, a tribute to the late executive producer Gary Glasberg and commentaries on select episodes.
Maurice: 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1987, Cohen Media Group Rated: R, sexual content, adult themes The lowdown: James Wilby, Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves star in this Merchant Ivory Production of the E.M. Forster’s novel set in the stiff and confining conformity of pre-World War I England. The story centers on young men coming to terms with their sexual and identity despite great social pressure. Wilby is Maurice Hall and Grant is Clive Durham, who find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. This was a time in England when homosexuality was punishable by imprisonment, so the two must keep their feelings for one another secret. After a homosexual friend is arrested, Clive caves to society’s demands and marries a young woman. Maurice, meanwhile, fighting his impulses, seeks help from a hypnotist to cure him of his urges. Later, while Maurice is visiting with Clive and his wife, he is seduced by Alec (Graves), a household servant, which greatly impacts Maurice’s life and outlook. The movie, directed by James Ivory, also features Ben Kingsley, Simon Callow, Denholm Elliott and Billie Whitelaw. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.66:1 picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Dolby digital PCM; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus features include a making of featurette, a question-and-answer session, a conversation with the filmmakers, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie and a commentary track.
Hawaii Five-O: The Seventh Season Details: 2016-17, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: Steve McGarrett and his crime-fighting team are back, protecting the Hawaiian Islands from all kinds of crimes and criminals. The six-disc set features all 25 episodes of this exciting, action-packed series. The season, regretfully, also marked the final appearances of Daniel Dae Kim’s Chin and Grace Park’s Kono, as well as Masi Oka’s Dr. Max Bergman. It’s unfortunate, since those actors added color and diversity to this well-crafted show. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and English stereo; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Additional components include a featurette on the season’s biggest highlights, a gag reel, deleted and extended scenes, a featurette on the Chun family legacy and the series, a video diary by young cast member Teilor Grubbs and a photo shoot with star Alex O’Loughlin.
Narcos: Season Two (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet) Details: 2016, Lionsgate Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The second season of this series centers on the prison escape of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the efforts of Colombian police, American DEA agents and rival cartels to take him down. In order to do so, rivals form uneasy alliances, despite having very little trust in each other. This is a popular Netflix series that has found a devout niche audience. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced) widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include deleted scenes, an overview of the season and a commentary track.
Criminal Minds: Season 12 Details: 2016-17, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is back for its 12th season in this six-disc set that features all 22 disturbing episodes. The BAU hunts the worst of the worst. Who knew there were so many sickies and serial killers around the country? A new member joins the team — skilled fugitive track Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez). Returning is Page Brewster’s Emily Prentiss, who is joined by veteran profiler Stephen Walker (Damon Gupton). No matter how many members join the unit, the psychopaths, killers, hackers, abductors and self-styled criminal masterminds continue to sprout like weeds. Still the BAU is up to the challenge. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and English stereo; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Among the extras are a featurette exploring how each member of the BAI unit deals with the highs and lows of their careers; interviews with episode directors, a featurette on creating victimology, a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced by Matthew Gray Gubler’s character; a behind-the-scenes look at the return of Gia Mantegna’s character; deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel and commentaries on specific episodes.
Band Aid (Blu-ray) Details: 2017, Shout! Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: What do two people who continually fight do to remedy the situation? Why, they take the advice of their therapist and focus on a love they share — in this case, music. Zoe Lister-Jones, wrote, directed and stars in this comedy about a couple who, to save their marriage, form a band and turn their fights into songs. Fred Armisen is their neighbor who helps them get a band back together. The comedy is a witty and cutting look at modern love and the magic of music. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio stereo; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Deleted scenes, outtakes and a music video comprise the major bonus features.
NCIS: New Orleans: The Third Season Release date: Aug. 15 Details: 2016-17, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This six-disc set contains all 23 exciting episodes from the third season of this second “NCIS” spinoff. NCIS special agent in charge, Dwayne “King” Pride (Scott Bakula) watches over his city like a mother hen, and with his team, protects it from enemies foreign and domestic. He is helped in the field by agents Christopher Lasalle (Lucas Black), Sonja Percy (Shalita Grant) and former FBI agent Tammy Gregorio (Vanessa Ferlito) and in the lab and medical examiner’s office by specialists Patton Plame (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell), Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) and Dr. Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder). The season’s biggest arc focuses on a corrupt development scheme that threatens a poor section of New Orleans and involves the mayor, a longtime adversary of Pride’s. You can guess who comes out on top in that battle. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital stereo; English SHD subtitles. Don’t miss: Among the bonus offerings are an “NCIS” crossover episode and a behind-the-scenes look at the episode, an overview of the season, a featurette on new cast member Ferlito and commentaries on select episodes.
Mr. Mom: Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) Details: 1983, Shout! Factory Rated: PG The lowdown: Michael Keaton and Teri Garr star in this latest release from the Shout Select series. Keaton’s Jack Butler becomes a stay-at-home dad after he loses his job as his wife, Caroline (Garr) re-enters the work force and becomes a major player at the advertising agency that hired her. Jack has no idea about what’s facing him as he must deal with cooking, cleaning, dropping off and picking up the kids at school, handling a vacuum cleaner named “Jaws” and keeping up with all the dirty doings around the neighborhood. The movie is a little dated, but the performances and chemistry between Keaton and Garr, as well as the support from Martin Mull, Ann Jillian and Christopher Lloyd, help. The movie was written by John Hughes, whose own experiences inspired some of the sequences. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 1.85:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus materials include a look back at the making of the movie and its aftermath.
Elementary: The Fifth Season Release date: Aug. 29 Details: 2016-17, CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment Rated: Not rated The lowdown: This series, which re-imagines Sherlock Holmes living and working in contemporary New York, is fun, as this six-disc set — featuring all 24 fifth-season episodes — can attest. Holmes may be in the New World in a new century, but he still uses the deductive reasoning that makes this beloved creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle so timeless. Aided by Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller), solves case after cases for the New York Police Department, while facing personal and professional challenges of his own. Technical aspects: 16:9 full-screen picture; English 5.1 Dolby digital and 2.0 Dolby digital stereo surround; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include a behind-the-scenes look at the celebration of the series’ 100th episode, an overview of the season, a look at crafting the complex crime stories, a gag reel, deleted and extended scenes and a special feature on the Byzantine story and how it was dropped seamlessly into the show’s timeline.
The Ghoul (Blu-ray) Details: 2017, Arrow Video Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A supernatural thriller about a homicide detective called to London by an old colleague to view a murder scene. It seems the victims continued to move despite bullets to the head and chest. The detective, with the aid of another old colleague, who also happens to be his ex, plays and hunch and goes undercover at the psychotherapist of one of the victims. As the detective’s therapy sessions continue, the line between reality and fantasy begin to blur more and more, and the detective even begins to question his own identity. The movie had a very limited release in the United States, but still earned a 79 percent fresh rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.39:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio stereo; English SDH subtitles. Don’t miss: Extras include cast and crew interviews, a commentary track, a 2013 short film by the director and a booklet with essays about the movie.
A Dark Song (Blu-ray) Details: 2017, IFC Midnight-Scream Factory Rated: Not rated The lowdown: A mother grieving for her murdered son and wants to make contact with him believes her prayers are answered when she meets a recluse who is an expert in the occult. He agrees to help the mother through performing a series of dark and forbidden rituals as a way of bringing her son back. As the pair continue to push, they go deeper and deeper into the disturbing corners of the world of black magic. At Rottentomatoes.com, the movie featured 30 reviews, 27 of which were positive for a 90 percent fresh rating. Technical aspects: 1080p high definition, 2.40:1 widescreen picture; English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and stereo; English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Don’t miss: Bonus offerings include cast and filmmaker interviews, deleted scenes and storyboards.
Other Blu-rays and DVDs being released on Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated:
Besetment (Uncork’d Entertainment) Guardians (Shout! Factory, Walmart exclusive)
FOR KIDS Paw Patrol: The Great Pirate Rescue (Nickelodeon-Paramount Home Entertainment)
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS and STREAMING Beyond the Trek (Screen Media) The Big Sick (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) Anti-Matter (Uncork’d Entertainment, Sept. 8) The Good Catholic (Broad Green Pictures, Sept. 8) Circus Kane (Uncork’d Entertainment, Sept. 9)
Coming next week: The Mummy Beatriz at Dinner
I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. My movie reviews also can be found at Rottentomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.