This Week in Blu-ray / DVD Releases: Pitch Perfect 2, The Flash, The Slap

By John Law

September 21st 2015, 10:33pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

This Week: The Bellas go big with Pitch Perfect 2, a DC double header, and 40 years of Rocky Horror.

► It took one weekend for PITCH PERFECT 2 to surpass the total box office of the first film, which might make sense if it was obviously better than the 2012 original. It’s not, though it’s certainly fun to revisit the Barden Bellas three years later. Elizabeth Banks directs this crowd-pleasing sequel, in which the a cappella group must fight to reinstate their right to perform after a routine at President Obama’s birthday goes wrong. Their rivals this time are from Germany (Das Sound Machine). Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow are joined by Hailee Steinfeld this time. Banks joins the producers for commentary on the blu-ray, and she also discusses directing her first movie.

► After finally defeating Slade, Oliver Queen is riding high in Starling City to begin Season 3 of ARROW. Which prompts his enemies, including Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins, to knock him off his perch. It doesn’t help that his own ‘Team Arrow’ have a few secrets of their own. All those smiles are gone by the downer finale. Despite residing in the ratings nether regions, it’ll be back for Season 4 Oct. 7.

► A spin-off of ‘Arrow,’ it didn’t take long for THE FLASH to crush it in the ratings. By the time Season 1 ended, it was getting nearly twice the viewers. After the speedster’s last ill-fated attempt at TV in the early ‘90s, this one was a huge hit with fans. As Barry Allen, Grant Gustin seems like an awkward choice at first, but his confidence and geeky charm grows in later episodes. Co-developed by Geoff Johns, the series fully embraces its comic book roots – the finale is especially cool. Season 2 starts Oct. 6.

► The Australian mini-series THE SLAP – remade for the U.S. last year – follows the aftermath of a birthday party in which a man cuffs someone’s out-of-control little brat. The parents press charges, and the incident drives a huge wedge between friends and family. Shades of Robert Altman as the incident is examined several different ways. Stars Jonathan LaPaglia, Sophie Lowe and Melissa George, who played the same role in the U.S. remake.

► The 40th anniversary edition of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW comes with the same features as the 35th anniversary edition, and throws in a CD soundtrack, surgical gloves and fishnets. If you didn’t buy the last one, though, there’s a bunch of great stuff here, including an alternate B&W opening, deleted musical scenes and commentary by Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn. The movie itself is either brilliant or terrible, depending on how many beers you’ve had. But young Susan Sarandon is always worth time warpin’.

► Wes Anderson movies seem to arrive as Criterion special editions already. Nonetheless, here’s the Criterion special edition of MOONRISE KINGDOM, in which two kids make a pact to run away into the wilderness and the usual Wes Anderson weirdness ensues. Loaded blu-ray offers him on commentary, new interviews with cast and crew, and best of all, a behind-the-scenes tour hosted by Bill Murray. An already beautiful-looking movie also gets a 2K digital transfer.

► Just before he did ‘Iron Man,’ Jon Favreau got jobbed with ZATHURA – a fun, spiritual cousin to ‘Jumanji’ which got stampeded at the box office by one of the Harry Potter movies. It deserved far better, and this 10th anniversary edition shows how imaginative and under-appreciated it was. Despite the constant comparisons to ‘Jumanji,’ this was much better. Two bickering brothers discover a board game in their basement which ends up sending their house into space and their sister into a cryonic sleep. The only way to return home is to reach the end of the game. Not just a great family flick but Favreau’s terrific tribute to ‘50s sci-fi.

► You’ve got to love how Shout! Factory gives even the lowliest horror movies the deluxe treatment. THE SENTINEL was among a cheesy string of devil movies in the mid ‘70s, remembered for a few good scares and a stellar cast which included Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum and Burgess Meredith. Christina Raines plays a troubled fashion model who moves into a Brooklyn brownstone only to discover it’s a gateway to hell, and she’s being groomed as the next gatekeeper. Raines does commentary here, along with director Michael Winner.

Also out this week: