Yes, this is a celebrational, Muppetational kind of week. Amongst the new releases, we have the almost-anniversary of The Muppets very first theatrical film.
That said, a Muppet movie doesn't always snag the spotlight. This week, we're highlighting an inspiratonal indie known as A Band Called Death. After years of being stuck underground, the Hackney brothers certainly deserve some accolades. Thanks to this 2013 documentary, the band is getting that and more. The movie is a winner as well, currently tracking 96 percent on the film aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
If you aren't a punk fan, you also have the aforementioned Muppets, Morgan Freeman, two TV series installments, and a little Shane.
Did we miss one of your favorites for the week? Have something to say about one of this week's new releases? Sound off in the comments below. Otherwise, all of these titles are out as of August 13, 2013, except where noted. Enjoy!
A Band Called Death
Despite a limited release, this little indie made a huge splash earlier this year. That's probably because Death was the very first black punk band. In fact, the documentary indicates that they may have actually been the first punk band period. We're talking before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols and even the Ramones. How exactly did that happen and what are they up to now? Directors Mark Christopher Covino and Jeff Howlett dissect the band, with an emphasis on a recently discovered 1974 demo tape.
Image Entertainment is rocking out a 1.78:1 image and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 for this one. Don't be fooled by the single disc, though. This release has plenty of extras, including two separate audio commentary tracks, deleted scenes, a Q&A, a music video, trailers, and "Death Live At SXSW." It also comes packaged with a 20-page booklet that includes a blurb by MC5's Wayne Kramer. [Image Entertainment]
The Muppet Movie: The Nearly 35th Anniversary Edition
It's inspirational, Muppetational, and more importantly -- the original! Before The Muppets became part of Disney, they had this 1979 theatrical outing. It finds our sometimes-furry friends on a road trip to Hollywood, encountering Charles Durning, James Coburn, Dom DeLuise, Madeleine Kahn, Steve Martin, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Carol Kane, Cloris Leachman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas, Elliot Gould, Orson Welles, and Big Bird on the way.
Disney is celebrating this film's 35th anniversary (technically it's a year early) with a brand-new Blu-ray. It's only one disc, but it's got a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Considering that this is an anniversary release, the extras are sort of skimpy. Maybe they are waiting for the real 35th anniversary? Anyway, expect an 18-minute camera test, the "Frog-E-Oke Sing-Along," 7 minutes on Kermit's career, one commercial, and the film's original trailers. The actual movie also has the Disney intermission feature available if someone needs to take a break. Otherwise, the set comes with a Digital Copy of the film. [Disney]
Olympus Has Fallen
We've got more Morgan Freeman for you! Last week, the actor blasted off into Oblivion with Tom Cruise. This week, he's playing president and beefing up his action resume. This one has the White House under attack with only former U.S. Army Ranger Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) able to fight off the bad guys. Oh boy. Aaron Eckhart, Angela Bassett, Rick Yune, Dylan McDermott, Melissa Leo, Cole Hauser and Ashley Judd also star.
This 2013 film has a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and the type of DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track to knock you into the next room. Other than that, the set does include several short extras, including bloopers, a piece on the cast, and a 12-minute making-of featurette. There's also a trio of shorts that focus on the action in the film, as well as a standard-def DVD, a Digital Copy and an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the film. [Sony]
Girls: The Complete Second Season
This is the season of Girls where things got -- well, sort of weird. Marnie (Allison Williams) lost her job, Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) shacked up with Ray (Alex Karpovsky), and Jessa (Jemima Kirke) married a complete stranger (Chris O'Dowd). However, Hannah's (Lena Dunham) journey is by far the most bizarre. After breaking up with Adam (Adam Driver), she spends the season bedding many men and falling back into a previously unmentioned (was it mentioned?) bout of OCD.
It's not too surprising that this set has a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. What is a bit of a shocker is the collection of extras included. Seven of the 10 episodes have audio commentaries, nine have deleted and extended scenes, and there are plenty of other shorts. That lineup includes a pair of Dunham interviews, a table read with the cast, a piece about the show's male co-stars, a making-of featurette, and something on the show's music. The 3-disc set also has an entire standard-def DVD with all 10 episodes, as well as a Digital Copy and an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the season. [HBO]
Once Upon A Time: The Complete Second Season
For the most part, no one lives happily ever after in this fairy tale-inspired series. That's what keeps it so interesting! In this second season, a curse gets broken, there's plenty of magic, and new heroes do emerge. Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O'Donoghue, Jared S. Gilmore, Meghan Ory and Robert Carlyle all star in ABC's popular fantasy.
This 5-disc set has all 22 episodes from the second season, each with a magical 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. There's no standard-def DVD or digital copies here, but the package does include six audio commentaries, a piece on Hook, a short on the cast, bloopers, deleted scenes and promos. There's also the 12-minute featurette "Welcome to Storybrooke" and seven minutes of "A Fractured Family Tree," which is hosted by Modern Family star Sarah Hyland. [Disney]
The Big Wedding
Another all-star ensemble goes horribly wrong -- in more ways than one. This time, a family wedding brings together the cast of characters. More importantly, it brings together divorced couple Ellie (Diane Keaton) and Don (Robert De Niro), who can't seem to play nice. Plan to see Ben Barnes, Amanda Seyfried, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Katherine Heigl and Topher Grace adding to the chaos.
This is a brand-new film with a lot of A-listers. Even though it's not anyone's best work, it does have a nice 2.40:1 image and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. Despite the lengthy cast, the extras are insanely slim. There's just one piece titled, "Coordinating The Big Wedding," as well as a Digital Copy and an UltraViolet Digital Copy. [Lionsgate]
Shane
Alan Ladd plays the title character in this film, which is considered to be one of the greatest westerns of all-time. He's a drifter who's good with a gun, which comes in handy when he wanders right into the middle of a war between farmers and cattlemen. Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon deWilde and Jack Palance also star.
Shane is coming back with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix. Don't expect any new extras with this release. Instead, Warner Bros. has ported over commentary from a 2000 DVD and the film's original trailer. [Warner Bros.]
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