Hey, gang! Joseph here, and I’m recovering from a post-birthday hangover (two days ago, no less) long enough to bring you the latest home releases for July 16, 2013. This week’s episode features an American pioneer, a creepy remake, brilliance from the BBC, brilliance from AMC, and Glenn Close. Juicy enough for ya? Let’s dig in!

42: The Jackie Robinson Story (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 77%

Hero is a word we hear often in sports, but heroism is not always about achievements on the field of play. ’42′ tells the story of two men-the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey-whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball. In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball’s infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press and even other players. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in kind, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey’s hopes. Instead, number 42 lets his talent on the field do the talking-ultimately winning over fans and his teammates, silencing his critics, and paving the way for others to follow. This movie comes in both a two disc Bluray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. This movie was great fun, and it’s my pick of the week.

Evil Dead (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 62%

A secluded cabin. An ancient curse. An unrelenting evil. Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell reunite to present a genuinely terrifying re-imagining of their original horror masterpiece. Five young friends have found the mysterious and fiercely powerful Book of the Dead. Unable to resist its temptation, they release a violent demon on a blood-thirsty quest to possess them all. Who will be left to fight for their survival and defeat this unearthly force of murderous carnage? This movie comes in two single disc versions; one a Bluray + Digital Copy version, and the other a DVD version. I don’t do horror movies; call me squeamish, but it’s not my thing. If you like gory horror movies, have at it.

Orphan Black: Season One

Sarah is a streetwise outsider, currently on the run from a bad relationship and painfully separated from her own daughter. When an eerily lookalike stranger commits a shocking suicide right in front of her, Sarah sees a potential solution to all her problems by assuming the dead woman’s identity and clearing out her bank account. But instead, she stumbles headlong into a kaleidoscopic thriller mystery, and soon uncovers an earth-shattering secret: she is a clone. As Sarah searches for answers, she soon learns there are more like her out there, genetically identical individuals, nurtured in wildly different circumstances. And someone is trying to kill them off, one by one. This series is available in both a two disc Bluray set and a three disc DVD set. We at Project Fandom love just about anything from across the pond, and this is no exception. Have a go; you won’t be disappointed.

Hell on Wheels: The Complete Second Season

Still struggling to leave his troubled past behind, former Confederate officer Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) returns to Hell on Wheels, the traveling settlement that follows and services the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. There, he faces a new onslaught of turmoil, danger and corruption in a treacherous town where life is cheap and greed is the only law. This season comes in both a three disc Bluray version and a three disc DVD version. We at Project Fandom love just about anything from AMC, and this is no exception. Give it a look; you won’t be disappointed.

Damages: The Complete Fifth Season

To win at all costs, sometimes you pay the ultimate price. In the final season of the award-winning legal thriller, powerhouse attorney Patty Hewes (three-time Emmy® and two-time Golden Globe® winner Glenn Close) and her ex-protégé Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) face off in a fatal double showdown: the wrongful death case against a charismatic, international cyber-hacker (Ryan Phillippe, Flags of Our Fathers), and a devastating custody battle pitting Patty against her own son resulting in a series finale as explosive as it is unexpected. Special guest stars also include Golden Globe® winner Jenna Elfman (TV’s “Dharma & Greg”) and Michael Gaston (Inception). This season is available in a three disc DVD version. This show is amazing, and a lot of that is credited to the spectacular Glenn Close. She’s a joy to watch, and so is this show.

There you have it, folks; another week in the books. Got any questions or comments? Did I miss anything? Hit me up in the comments section below.

Until next time…

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