‘November Man’ works as vehicle for Brosnan
Tough guys top this week’s new DVD offerings.
• “The November Man,” B-minus: This is a tasty thriller with enough twists to keep you guessing until the end. Roger Donaldson – who directed Pierce Brosnan in “Dante’s Peak” – does a good job of putting together a film where the lines between good and bad aren’t just blurred, they’re obliterated.
Peter Devereaux (Brosnan) is an ex-CIA killing machine who left the business behind after a tragedy during a mission. He is pulled out of retirement by his previous handler, Hanley (Bill Smitrovich), to save a woman who means more to Devereaux than just another assignment.
Brosnan’s performance makes “The November Man” worth seeing.
• “The Expendables 3,” B-minus: An old enemy resurfaces to cause trouble for the heroes. Sylvester Stallone stars.
This film proves that when it comes to summer action movies, first and last impressions really matter. Both the explosive opening and the massive battle scene that caps the film offer some of the best full-throttle fun of the summer’s offerings. They are exciting enough to distract from a middle that sags under unnecessary dialogue, a travelogue to put together the next generation of Expendables and pages of silly banter.
• “MST3K: The Turkey Day Collection: Volume XXXI,” B: Nothing says the holidays like a bunch of bad movies to watch before and after the big meal. And this series always provides the best of the worst in movie watching.
Included in this collection are “Jungle Goddess,” “The Painted Hills,” “The Screaming Skull” and “Squirm.” They come in a tin box set stuffed with bonus features, including an interview with “Squirm” star Don Scardino.
Also new on DVD:
“The Giver”: A young man learns that there is more than his colorless world.
“Official 2014 World Series Film”: Follows the San Francisco Giants to their 2014 win.
“Phobia”: A man is trapped in his home by his own mind.
“History Presents: The definitive WWI & WWII Collection”: A look at how the wars changed the world.
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered Christmas”: Four postal workers try to find the recipient of a Christmas card from the past.
“Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas”: Madea goes with a friend to pay her daughter a holiday visit.
“Inspector Lewis 7”: Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox return for a seventh season.
“A Royal Christmas”: Jane Seymour and Lacey Chabert star in this tale of a newly engaged woman who finds out her fiance is really a prince.
“What If”: A pair of 20-somethings try to figure out what they mean to each other.
“Metallica: Some Kind of Monster”: Follows the band through three of the most turbulent years in their over three-decade-long career.
“Jeeves & Wooster Complete Collection”: Hugh Laurie stars in this set that includes 23 episodes.
“Guardians of the Museum”: Game show where contestants must unlock secrets.
“Que Bonito Amor”: Mexican telenovela based on “La Hija del Mariachi.”
“Touch of the Light”: A blind pianist encourages a young dancer to follow her dream.
“Upstairs, Downstairs: The Ultimate Collection”: Set includes 81 episodes of the British series.
“Drunk History Seasons 1 & 2”: Historical re-enactments are based on drunken storytellers.
“Extreme Maneater Collection”: Includes three hours of wild footage.