BluTuesday - March 8, 2016
What’s going on, ProFans? I’m taking a break from recuperating from my daughter’s birthday yesterday to bring you the latest releases to home media for March 8, 2016. In this week’s episode, we discuss a big ol’ whale, the Bard, a boy and his dog, a monster buddy comedy, and the birth of the bomb. We have a few titles to get to here, so let’s get to it.
In the Heart of the Sea (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 43%
The one where Thor goes up against a whale and finds himself unworthy. Chris Hemsworth stars as Owen Chase, the veteran first mate of the whaling ship Essex; along with inexperienced captain George Pollard (Benjamin Walker) and second mate Matthew Joy (Cillian Murphy), they stumble upon the great white whale who makes their lives a living hell, thus serving as the inspiration for Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. This film, which also stars Ben Whishaw, Tom Holland, and Jordi Mollà, is available in a three disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. This is Chris Hemsworth’s most interesting work to date, although his best work is still as Thor. Still, for the spectacle of it all, there are worse movies to watch.
Macbeth (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 79%
Every actor worth their salt wants to perform Shakespeare; it’s the greatest challenge a thespian could ever face, and to do it well would make said thespian a legend. Michael Fassbender stars as the titular character, a man consumed with grief after murdering King Duncan (David Thewlis) and taking the throne as king himself. This film, which also stars Marion Cotillard, Jack Reynor, and Sean Harris, is available in a single disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD version. There have been about eleventy-billion different versions of Macbeth, and each person has put a different spin on things. This one is no different, and whether Fassbender succeeds or fails is open to your own interpretation. Still, if you’re a fan of Shakespeare and of good acting, you’d be hard pressed to find a better movie this week.
The Peanuts Movie (G)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 87%
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang are back like you’ve never seen them before: in glorious 3D animation! Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp) sets forth on a noble and epic quest, while Snoopy (Bill Melendez) takes to the skies to take on the Red Baron, his most hated foe. This film, which also stars Hadley Belle Miller, Alexander Garfin, and Mariel Sheets, is available in three disc 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy with a plush Snoopy toy, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. There are two people in this world: people who love the Peanuts gang, and people who haven’t been introduced to them yet. This movie is fun for the entire family, and it’s my pick of the week.
Victor Frankenstein (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 26%
James McAvoy and his inquisitive eyebrow and Daniel Radcliffe and his bad wig star in a new spin on an old tale. McAvoy stars as Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who, along with Igor Strausman (Radcliffe), set forth on a quest to find the secrets of immortality. But, when Victor’s machinations go too far, it’s up to Igor to save his friend and save the day. This film, which also stars Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott, and Mark Gattis, is available in a single disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a single disc DVD version. This is a Frankenstein film for the modern audience, and unless you just have a hankering for seeing this retelling, you can just pass this one by.
Manhattan: Season Two
The second season of this acclaimed drama builds upon the suspense of the first, as Dr. Frank Winter (John Benjamin Hickey) and his team race to be the first nation to create the atomic bomb, thus changing the course of the world forever. It also deals with the families of these scientists and how they deal with the secrets and lies of being involved in a such a project. This series, which also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Michael Chernus, and Katja Herbers, is available in a two disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a three disc DVD + Digital Copy version. Although this isn’t meant to be a literal retelling of history, it does give you some insight into what life was like for these pioneers of science. Give it a watch.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week. Got any questions or comments? Did I miss something you wanted to discuss? Please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below.
Until next time…
