This Week in Blu-ray / DVD Releases: Don't Breathe, Pete's Dragon, The BFG

This Week in Blu-ray / DVD Releases: Don’t Breathe, Pete’s Dragon, The BFG

By John Law

November 29th 2016, 10:16am

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

This Week: One of the year's great thrillers in Don't Breathe, Spielberg misses big with The BFG, and the Fab 2 return in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

► It’s not often one of the year’s best horror movies is also one of the most successful, but DON’T BREATHE nicely bucked the odds. In fact, with its miniscule $10 million budget and worldwide box office of $152 million, few movies were more profitable this year. It was certainly a surprise from director Fede Alvarez, who did an about-face from his ‘Evil Dead’ remake to make a tense, mostly bloodless and most importantly original thriller about three thieves trapped in the house of a psychotic blind man (Stephen Lang). Even most critics were on board for this one, which is as rare as it gets in modern horror. Blu-ray includes commentary from Alvarez, eight deleted scenes (with commentary), and a look at how they created the blind man’s crazy cool house.

► Look, I can’t be the only one who saw the title THE BFG and thought of something other than ‘Big Friendly Giant.’ It’s unlikely the awkward title was the reason this was one of Steven Spielberg’s worst ever flops, but it didn’t help. Spielberg’s Oscar winner from ‘Bridge of Spies’ Mark Rylance stars as the big fella who befriends a 10-year-old girl (Ruby Barnhill) at a London orphanage. But it comes with some creepy consequences – this is hardly one for the kids just before bedtime. Based on a classic Roald Dahl book. Extras include a closer look at the movie’s other giants and a making-of hosted by Barnhill.

► Disney (and all that it owns) has had so many huge releases this year, PETE’S DRAGON kind of flew under the radar. A remake of the ‘70s musical, made when the company’s animation was hitting new lows, it borrows plenty from ‘E.T.’ and ‘The Iron Giant’ to update the story of an orphaned boy rescued by a fuzzy-wuzzy dragon. Extras include a director’s diary from David Lowry, a montage of lost scenes, and the effects behind the dragon.

► The beloved British show ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ has been revived twice already, so it isn’t surprising to see ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE keep it going. Now in their ‘60s, messed up PR agent Edina and equally awful enabler Patsy flee to France to avoid a media blitz after it appears they killed Kate Moss at a fashion event. Dozens of cameos include Paris Hilton, Stella McCartney, Rebel Wilson and Joan Collins.

► The grimy and thoroughly uncomfortable-to-watch WHITE GIRL is based partly on the life of first-time director Elizabeth Wood. Morgan Saylor (‘Homeland’) plays an out-of-control New York college student who falls for a small-time drug dealer, and is left with his stash after he’s arrested. She tries getting rid of it with the help of an equally slimy lawyer (Chris Noth). Drew lots of comparisons to ‘Kids’ at Sundance earlier this year. Not in stores – produced on demand through Amazon.

► Fifth and final season of Showtime’s HOUSE OF LIES has management consultants Kaan & Associates struggling to stay back on top after four seasons of mostly funny bullshit. There are make ups and break ups, Jeannie (Kristen Bell) is slapped with a sexual harassment suit, and it leads to a series finale in Cuba. No extras to speak of – probably being saved for the complete series boxed set.

► ‘Silicon Valley’s Josh Brener and your favorite Google search from 2014 Alexandra Daddario star as a struggling New York couple in BAKED IN BROOKLYN who suddenly hit it big when he comes up with the idea of selling pot over the internet. Things predictably go south when demand exceeds supply and their lives are in danger.

► Clea Duvall’s ensemble comedy THE INTERVENTION finds four couples on a weekend retreat for the purpose of staging an intervention for one of them. Naturally, everyone else’s problems become the issue. Duvall stars along with Natasha Lyonne, Ben Schwartz, Cobie Smulders and Vincent Piazza. Extras include a blooper reel and Tegan and Sara video for ‘Fade Out.’

Also out this week: