This Week: 'The Force Awakens' set to stun on blu-ray, the underrated brilliance of 'Episodes,' and a bloody good season of 'Doctor Who.'
► Only appropriate STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS knocked off ‘Avatar’ as the biggest movie of all time, since it was director James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’ that dislodged ‘Star Wars’ nearly 20 years ago. Is the title earned? The sheer joy of seeing the original cast, coupled with a story that drops the baggage of the prequels, certainly made it one of this generation’s biggest moviegoing experiences. It felt like the original Star Wars again, which for many of us is an important part of our lives. If there’s a gripe, it’s with a story that feels too similar to the first (seriously, how many Death Stars will they build before going to Plan B?), and THE big scene – while necessary for the story – had many of us watching the rest of the movie in shocked denial. Blu-ray extras include a lengthy documentary on making the movie, the table read, a visit with composer John Williams, the visual effects and some deleted scenes. A cool slate fans will devour.
► After releasing the first six episodes in November, here’s the whole Ninth Series of DOCTOR WHO with all 12 episodes plus two Christmas specials. For many fans this was the strongest Who in years, presenting stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman as equals with a handful of individual episodes among the show’s all-time greats. Blu-ray includes behind-the-scenes looks at most every episode, the Series 9 prequel ‘The Doctor’s Meditation,’ and last year’s Comic Con panel.
► Kinda hard to champion EPISODES as one of TV’s funniest and most under appreciated shows when even Showtime seems indifferent to it. The fourth season finished airing more than a year ago, and the DVD (no blu-ray) is just coming out this week. Season 5? Filming sometime this year, according to a Showtime announcement nine months ago. Either way, Matt LeBlanc continues to be fantastic playing himself in this American/British send-up of Hollywood shallowness.
► One of SyFy’s attempts to get back to seriously good shows, THE EXPANSE follows the political turmoil that threatens to destabilize a colonized Solar System 200 years in the future. Thomas Jane plays a detective sent to track a missing woman amidst looming war between Earth and Mars. Based on the novels by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (under the pen name James S.A. Corey), the critical raves couldn’t stop ratings from dropping sharply. It’s managed a second season, however.
► Released this week to catch some of that Star Wars buzz, MOJAVE has Oscar Isaac as a mysterious hillbilly who meets a burned out filmmaker (Garrett Hedlund) in the desert. After engaging in a strange contest, Hedlund discovers the true nature of his new friend and attempts to return home, but Isaac won’t go away quietly. A trippy thriller from ‘The Departed’ screenwriter William Monahan.
► The romantic comedy TUMBLEDOWN has Jason Sudeikis as a New York who comes rural Maine to interview the widow (Rebecca Hall) of an iconic folk singer. Despite clashing with locals and her he-man suitor (Joe Manganiello), the two become an item. Released on Starz Digital in February.
► A twisted giallo version of Poe’s ‘The Black Cat,’ Sergio Martino’s YOUR VOICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (1972) gets the deluxe treatment from Arrow Video this week. Along with a 2K restoration there’s a new interview with Martino, a retrospective with star Edwige Fenech, a look at Martino’s place in giallo history, and a discussion of the film with Eli Roth.
► Want more giallo? Arrow Video is also releasing a limited edition (3000 copies) twin bill of Luciano Ercoli’s highly styled ‘Death Walks’ films. DEATH WALKS ON HIGH HEELS (1971) has famed Spanish hottie Nieves Navarro as an exotic dancer stalked by someone who wants the jewels her late father stole. In DEATH WALKS AT MIDNIGHT (1972), Navarro returns as a model who witnesses a murder during a drug-filled photo shoot. Hefty extras for both movies include commentary by film critic Tim Lucas, 2K restorations and a 60-page booklet.
Also out this week:
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SO WHAT DVD/BLU-RAYS ARE YOU GUYS STOKED ABOUT THIS WEEK?!