—Aloha ( Aug. 25 ): For those who love romantic comedies, there's this film that was in theaters earlier this year. Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone and Rachel McAdams star in the movie about a once-admired pilot, Brian Gilcrist ( Cooper ), who returns to Hawaii for a military contract job and is assigned to work with a young U.S. Air Force pilot ( Stone ). Enter Tracy Woodside ( McAdams ), an old flame, who reconnects with Gilcrist, creating a love triangle. Special features include "The Untitled Hawaii Project: The Making of Aloha" feature-length documentary.
—The Babadook: Special Edition ( already out; $29.93 for Blu-ray ): A special edition of one of the ( intentionally ) creepiest movies of 2014 is out courtesy of Shout! Factory. Amelia ( Essie Davis ) is a single mother plagued by the death of her husband. When a disturbing storybook called Mister Babadook turns up at her house, she is forced to battle with her son's deep-seated fear of a monster—but she discovers a sinister presence all around her. Among the bonus features are cast and crew interviews; a behind-the-scenes featurette; and even "pop up" packaging.
—The Blacklist: The Complete Second Season ( Aug. 18 ): NBC's top-rated drama ratchets up the intensity in its second season. James Spader leads the cast as enigmatic Raymond "Red" Reddington in this action-packed crime series. Picking up where season one left off, The Blacklist continues to uncover even more corruption. The series also stars Megan Boone, Ryan Eggold, Diego Klattenhoff and Harry Lennix. Bonuses include featurettes such as "Raymond Reddington: Man of the World."
—Chocolate City ( Aug. 4; $29.99 ): Described by some as the "African-American version of Magic Mike," this 90-minute film features actors such as Robert Ri'chard, Tyson Beckford, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Jai White, Ginuwine and Carmen Electra. Ri'chard plays a young, new dancer who takes up the job to help his mother make ends meet.
—Cleveland Abduction ( Aug. 11 ): This movie, as most may guess, is based on the horrifying true story of a group of women who were kidnapped and held captive by Ariel Castro for 11 years. The film features Taryn Manning ( TV's Orange is the New Black ), Raymond Cruz ( TV's Breaking Bad ), Golden Globe nominee Pam Grier and Emmy winner Joe Morton ( TV's Scandal ).
—The D Train ( Sept. 1; $29.99 DVD and $39.99 Blu-ray ): In the ultimate bromance gone wrong, Jack Black ( School of Rock ) and James Marsden ( Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues ) star. Special features include a gag reel and deleted scenes.
—Daniel ( Aug. 25 ): In this 1983 fictionalized account of the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg case, Timothy Hutton stars as Daniel Isaacson, an anti-war activist whose parents, branded as spies, were put to death by the U.S. government. Isaacson sets out to clear their names in this intense film that Sidney Lumet helmed. Ellen Barkin, Mandy Patinkin and Edward Asner are also in this film that will be distributed courtesy of Olive Films.
—The Dickumentary ( already out ): Breaking Glass Pictures' movie reveals everything you've always wanted to know about the penis, but were too afraid to ask. Traveling across 14 countries and featuring interviews with more than 40 experts, the film is an epic journey about this subject.
—The Divergent Series: Insurgent ( Aug. 4 ): The wildly popular series continues as this film raises the stakes for Tris ( Shalene Woodley ) as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris ( Woodley ) and Four ( the oh-so-handsome Theo James ) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine ( Kate Winslet ), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. ( By the way, the third and fourth installments in the series, Allegiant: Parts 1 & 2, are slated for release on March 18, 2016, and March 24, 2017, respectively. )
—Filth ( already out; $26.98 ): I recently caught this 2014 movie—and it's a ride, to say the least. James McAvoy plays the manipulative, sexist, ambitious Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson, who slowly becomes unhinged as he attempts to solve the murder of a student. The word "filth" can be seen in several ways in this taut film that takes a turn most viewers won't see coming.
—Folsom Forever ( already out; $19.95 ): The Folsom Street Fair was started to call attention to gentrification and raise money for AIDS charities. The documentary Folsom Forever ( courtesy of Breaking Glass Pictures ) tells the story of how this small street fair grew into the biggest outdoor kink and fetish event in the world, and managed to do a lot of good along the way. Special features include an uncensored look at Folsom from 2000 to 2010—and I do mean uncensored.
—The Front Page ( Aug. 11; $19.95 DVD and $29.95 Blu-Ray ): The original film version of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's hit satire of the newspaper business comes to Blu-ray and DVD, newly mastered in HD from 35mm elements that the Library of Congress preserved. Special features include a documentary, audio commentary by film historian Bret Wood and two radio adaptations ( from 1937 and 1946 ).
—Hustler White ( already out; $19.99 ): This comedy originally surfaced in 1996, but is just now out remastered Blu-ray ( $27.99 ). Director Bruce LaBruce teamed with L.A. photographer Rick Castro for this film about a Santa Monica Boulevard hustler, portrayed by one of Madonna's former lovers, Tony Ward. Special features include "Letter to Hustler White" and LaBruce introducing the movie in Toronto last year.
—Justified: The Complete Series ( Oct. 13 ): Considering how much I love this show, I'm thrilled to issue news about this forthcoming release. Based on Elmore Leonard's short story "Fire in the Hole," this critically acclaimed FX drama stars the beyond-handsome Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a man who attempts to bring law and order back to his Deep South roots after being relocated from Miami. The always reliable Walton Goggins ( The Shield ) is Olyphant's foil in this series that's more cat-and-cat than cat-and-mouse. Bonus features will include gag reels and featurettes.
—The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq ( Aug. 25; $29.95 ): In this intriguing documentary that Guillaume Nicloux directed, French novelist/poet Michel Houellebecq briefly went missing in 2011, causing the French media to speculate wildly about a possible kidnapping. The writer refuses to talk about his mysterious disappearance to this day.
—Lila & Eve ( Aug. 25 ): Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez ( ! ) star in a story of Lila ( Davis ), a grief-stricken mother who—in the aftermath of her son's murder in a drive-by shooting—attends a support group where she meets Eve ( Lopez ), who has lost her daughter. In quite the twist, the two women soon embark on a killing spree of their own, as they work to the top of the chain of drug dealers to avenge the murder of Lila's son.
—Lord Montagu ( available on all VOD platforms ): The documentary tells the story of Lord Edward Montagu, who was arrested for "conspiracy to incite certain male persons to commit serious offences with male persons," i.e. consensual homosexual offenses and became the focal point of a landmark trial known as "the Montagu Case." As a high-profile member of the House of Lords, his arrest attracted huge media attention in Britain. However, this movie shows how Montagu bounced back with a mix of charisma, determination and devotion ( to cars and his own historic estate ).
—Love in the Time of Civil War ( L'amour au temps de la guerre civile ) ( Sept. 1 ): From Breaking Glass Pictures, this film stars Alexandre Landry as Alex, a young, gay addict who sells his body in Montreal's Centre-Sud district. Love in the Time of Civil War premiered at TIFF 2014, with The Hollywood Reporter raving the film is an "unflinching account of the life of a drug addict and male hustler."
—Outlander: Season 1, Volume 2 ( Sept. 29 ): The second half of the popular sci-fi adventure further explores the epic relationships of Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland, where she meets Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous Scottish warrior. ( Some people may have seen or read about the first season's controversial ending, which involved torture. ) In addition to all the special features included on the Blu-ray, The Limited Collector's Edition boasts exclusive collectible packaging with 3-D art, a 32-page book with photographs, excerpts from the script and an introduction from producer Ronald D. Moore.
—Patch Town ( Aug. 11; $29.95 ): Courtesy of Kino Lorber, this movie is a fairy tale in which newborn babies are plucked from cabbage patches, turned into plastic dolls and sold as playthings in a nightmarish, oppressive society. A fantasy-adventure, quirky comedy and rousing musical rolled into one, Patch Town is definitely a unique film. Bonuses include the short film that inspired the feature, outtakes and an interview with the director.
—Predestination ( already out; $26.99 ): On the surface, it's an adventure ( starring Ethan Hawke ) about a secret government time-traveling agency designed to prevent future killers and terrorists from committing their crimes. However, deeper questions abound—and there's also an intersex-related twist that will hold special relevance for LGBTI viewers.
—Seashore ( already out; $24.95 ): Seashore, out on VOD and DVD via Wolfe Video, is set on the oceanside of southern Brazil, and explores the friendship, sexuality and personal identity of two teenage boys. Directed by Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon ( A Ballet Dialogue ), the film has garnered several accolades, including praise from the San Francisco Chronicle and The Hollywood Reporter. With English subtitles
—The Shrine ( already out; $29.99 ): This 2010 film—out on KimStim—is genuinely creepy. Featuring stars such as Aaron Ashmore ( TV's Warehouse 13 ) and Meghan Heffern ( The Fog ), the movie is about three journalists who trace a missing U.S. backpacker to a mysterious Polish village. There they encounter the title item—with the complimentary human sacrifice.
—Spasmo ( already out; $19.99 ): In this very different 1974 Italian thriller, a mysterious, beautiful woman ( Suzy Kendall ) washes up on a desolate beach, setting off a chain of events involving the young, wealthy, and mentally unstable Christian ( Robert Hoffman ); his concerned brother, Fritz ( Ivan Rassimov ); a murderous maniac on the loose; and female mannequins punctured with knives. If you're into movies such as Suspiria, Seven Blood-Stained Orchids and Kill, Baby, Kill, you just might like this feature.
—Still of the Night ( Aug. 11; $29.95 for Blu-ray ): Remember THIS Meryl Streep movie? The acclaimed actress stars in this 1982 Hitchcockian murder mystery as the enigmatic Brooke Reynolds, co-starring with actor Roy Scheider ( Jaws; 52 Pick-Up ). Bonus features inclue a trailer gallery.
—Tiger Orange ( already out; $24.95 ): Frankie Valenti ( aka former gay-porn star Johnny Hazzard ) acquits himself quite well in this film about two gay brothers who attempt to make amends in Wade Gasque's small-town drama. Exclusive bonus features will be available on DVD and digitally via WolfeOnDemand.com .
—White Bird in a Blizzard ( already out; $26.98 ): Out director Gregg Araki helmed this 2014 movie ( based on the book of the same name ) that stars Shailene Woodley ( Divergent ) as Kat Connors, a young woman embracing her newfound sexuality when her glamorous but strange mother, Eve ( Eva Green ), vanishes. By the way, with this being an Araki film, expect an LGBT-related turn or two. Co-stars include Angela Bassett, Christopher Meloni, Gabourey Sidibe, Shiloh Fernandez, Sheryl Lee and Mark Indelicato.
—Woman in Gold ( already out; $29.98 ): Woman in Gold ( starring Dame Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Katie Holmes and Tatiana Maslany ) is based on the true story of Austrian-American Maria Altmann and her journey to bring justice back to her family. Sixty years after she fled Vienna during World War II, elderly Jewish woman, Maria Altmann ( Mirren ) attempts to retrieve family possessions that the Nazis seized—and deals with difficult truths about her past along the way.
Prices are for DVDs, unless otherwise stated.
—By Andrew Davis
( Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com )
