Prepare your bank accounts, it’s time to see what’s Now Available To Own for the week of April 29, 2014. Each week we run down what’s new in movies, television series, and video games that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. On shelves this week, you can find titles such as Escape from Tomorrow, Devil’s Due, Labor Day, and more. See if you should buy, rent, or pass ’em after the jump.
Movies on Blu-Ray
Escape from Tomorrow (Best Buy Exclusive Blu-Ray) (Randy Moore) In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father’s sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday. Starring Roy Abramsohn, Elena Schuber, and Katelynn Rodriguez
Bizarre and incredibly well put together, Escape from Tomorrow is the real deal. Shot guerrilla style, with zero permission of Disney to film on the premises, Randy Moore and his crew have created one of the most mind-bending productions ever. The story isn’t as cohesive or as well developed as I would have liked, but dear lord the behind the scenes experience alone is an amazing story to hear.
As you watch this movie, knowing that scenes have to be shot from different angles and getting the right take, this movie family had to stand in line for hours and multiple times to ride the same rides over and over again. It is just MIND BOGGLING how they were able to pull it off. It is really intriguing what Moore is able to accomplish and I wish he had just a little larger budget or time to put it all together, but Escape from Tomorrow is a film that can’t be missed by those who appreciate the art. SEE THIS. Special features include:
- Audio Commentary
- Behind the Scenes
- Poster Gallery
The Legend of Hercules (Renny Harlin) The origin story of the the mythical Greek hero. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom. Starring Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins, and Roxanne McKee
I didn’t even bother seeing this movie because it felt like the biggest waste of time for myself and for the people who made it. I’m surprised they even bothered with an audio commentary. SKIP IT! Special features include:
- Audio commentary with director Renny Harlin and Kellan Lutz
- The making of The Legend of Hercules
Labor Day (Jason Reitman) Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited. Starring Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, and Clark Gregg
Jason Reitman is a very talented director. His work on Juno, Up in the Air, Thank You for Smoking, and Young Adult is sheer brilliance. But Labor Day is a huge departure from anything we have ever seen him try to attempt before. There really is nothing memorable created here and is a shocking to believe that this was made by Reitman. Absolutely nothing about this movie, from the cinematography to the music, feels like a Reitman. It’s sad. The performances are OK if you can believe the plausibility of the story. WATCH IT ON NETFLIX! Special features include:
- Filmmaker Commentary
- End of Summer: Making Labor Day
- Deleted scenes
Devil’s Due (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin. Starring Allison Miller, Zach Gilford, Sam Anderson, and Roger Payano
If you felt found footage movies have worn out their welcome, you haven’t seen nothing yet. SKIP IT! Special features include:
- Audio Commentary with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Chad Villella, and Justin Martinez
- Deleted scenes, including extended ending
- Radio Silence: A Hell of a Team
- Director’s photo album
- Mountain devil prank fails horribly
Gimme Shelter (Ron Krauss) A pregnant teenager flees her abusive mother in search of her father, only to be rejected by her dad and forced to survive on the streets until a compassionate stranger offers a hopeful alternative. Starring Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Brendan Fraser, and James Earl Jones
Precious Part 2? WATCH IT ON NETFLIX? Special features include:
- “The making of Gimme Shelter” featurette
- Deleted scenes with audio commentary by writer/director Ronald Krauss
Television on Blu-Ray
Star Trek: Enterprise (Season 4) (Rick Berman, Brannon Braga) A prequel series, set 100 years before the original Star Trek series, which focuses on the early years of Starfleet, leading up to the formation of the Federation and the Earth-Romulan Wars. The series is set aboard the Earth ship Enterprise NX-01, captained by Jonathan Archer. Starring Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, and Jolene Blalock
If you’re looking to finalize your Enterprise collection, you’re in luck! Special features include:
- In conversation: writing Star Trek: Enterprise (HD)
- Before Her time: decommissioning Enterprise (HD)
- Newly recorded audio commentaries on select episodes
- Archival mission logs and commentaries
- Deleted scenes on select episodes
Video Games
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Windows, 3DS, iOS, Android) In this exciting story placed alongside the events of the second film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 lets you continue the adventures of Peter Parker as you search relentlessly for the person — or creature — who murdered your Uncle Ben.
- Stop crimes and save citizens or else face the dire consequences of the new Hero or Menace system
- Investigate the mysterious motives of the city’s most maniacal monsters as Peter Parker
- Freeze and detonate items using the game’s new web arsenal, which includes expansive web-slinging capabilities with destructive chemical properties
- Journey all over Manhattan’s sprawling cityscape to combat crime in this free-roaming adventure that features a more expansive New York City than ever before
Blu-Ray Deals and Steals
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes – $11.99
- Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 – $11.99
- The Wolf of Wall Street – $12.99
- American Hustle – $12.99
- 12 Years a Slave – $12.99
- Dallas Buyers Club – $12.99
- Tropic Thunder – $4.99
All prices come from Amazon.com and sometime Best Buy. Best Buy, Frys, and Target all price match online prices now if you do not want to order online.
What will you be taking home this week, tell us in the comments section below? Check out previous installments of Now Available To Own to see what you’ve been missing.
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