Cable series blends genres, brings novels to life
New DVD releases this week include a cable series, the continuation of a popular film series and a film that produced an Oscar-nominated performance.
“Outlander: Season 1, Volume 1,” A-minus: The cable series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history and adventure as it follows Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a married British combat nurse in 1945 who mysteriously falls back through time to 1743 Scotland.
She becomes torn between her husband, Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies), and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a Scottish warrior who comes to her rescue.
This is a beautifully written, filmed and acted production that brings to life the novels by Diana Gabaldon.
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1,” B: Director Francis Lawrence, the man behind “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” continues to show an even-handed approach to both the emotional and big-action scenes. He is smart enough to boldly display the impressive work Jennifer Lawrence does from start to mid-finish.
It has one inherent problem that even Lawrence can’t fix. The finale is presented in two parts, with the wrap-up a later this year. This structure leaves the first part lacking as the action comes to an abrupt ending.
“Foxcatcher,” C: Except for an oddly interesting Oscar-nominated performance by Steve Carell, this is the slow-moving story of two brothers who, during the late 1980s, become wrestling champs and pawns in multimillionaire John du Pont’s life.
Director Bennett Miller becomes too involved with the physicality of wrestling when he should have been dealing with a script that never fully embraces the insanity of the true life events.
Also new on DVD:
“Transporter TV Series: Season 1”: British ex-commando Frank Martin (Chris Vance) is a high-stakes courier.
“Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast”: A fable creature comes to Pixie Hollow.
“Victori: The Truth Just Can’t Be One Thing”: Father, son work together to bring attention to long art career.
“Longmire: Season 3’: Includes all 10 episodes in the cable series starring Robert Taylor.
“Believe Me”: Four college seniors set out to scam good-hearted churchgoers.
“Beginner’s Bible”: Animated introduction to the Bible for children.
“Da Vinci’s Demons Season 2”: Florence is thrown into chaos in the wake of the Pazzi conspiracy.
“A Place to Call Home: Season 1”: Australian period drama full of secrets and passion.
“To Write Love on Her Arms”: Young woman battling depression learns value of friendship.
“Drumline: A New Beat”: Alexandra Shipp stars in this sequel.
“Hill Street Blues: Season Four”: Cop drama from Stephen Bochco.
“The Captive”: Man must unravel the mystery of his daughter’s disappearance.
“Bubble Guppies: Fin-Tastic Collection”: Includes six underwater learning adventures.
“Let’s Kill Ward’s Wife”: Buddies must help when a friend’s wife ends up dead. Amy Acker stars.
“Life Partners”: Friendship is tested by a new love. Gillian Jacobs stars.
“Blacula/Scream, Blacula, Scream”: Double feature of the ’70s movies.
“The Better Angels”: Examination of the early life of Abraham Lincoln.
“Kiss Me Kate”: Restored version of the 1953 Cole Porter musical.
“Innocence”: Tragic event haunts student. Sophie Curtis stars.
“Understanding Art: Baroque & Rococo”: Documentary that looks at two influential art periods.
“Champions: New England Patriots”: Look at the Patriots win over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.