Now Available to Own: The LEGO Movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and More

Prepare your bank accounts, it’s time to see what’s Now Available to Own for the week of June 17, 2014. Each week we run down new releases 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 The LEGO Movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Ernest and Celestine, and more. Check out the complete list of new releases and see if you should buy, rent, or pass ’em after the jump.

Movies on Blu-Ray

The LEGO Movie (Phil Lord and Christopher Miller) An ordinary LEGO minifigure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together. Starring Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson, Craig Berry, and Alison Brie

It goes without saying that The LEGO Movie is awesome. Miller and Lord (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs; 21 Jump Street) are by far the dynamic comedy duo to beat in Hollywood these days when it comes to fun, lighthearted comedies. The LEGO Movie is smart, hilarious, and one of the wittiest animated movies you’ll ever see. There is so much rewatchability that you’ll find something new with every viewing. From the voice acting to the incredible visuals, The LEGO Movie is a spectacular animated feature.

The extras are also fantastic. There are so many special features that you’ll feel like a kid again with all the amazing behind the scenes LEGO goodness. They tackle just about everything you would want to know that went into the making of this film and it’s pretty amazing how much detail that went it. BUY IT! These special features included are:

Feature commentary
Batman: A True Artist
Michelangelo and Lincoln: History Cops
Enter the Ninjago
Bringing LEGO to Life
“Everything is Awesome” Sing-Along
See it! Build it!
Stories from the Story Team
Fan-Made Films: Top Secret Submissions
Outtakes
Additional Promotional Content
Alleyway Test
Deleted Scenes
PLUS Dream Job: Meet The LEGO Builders (Blu-Ray “Everything is Awesome” Edition Only)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson) The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. Starring alph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Saoirse Ronan, Léa Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Harvey Keitel, and Edward Norton

Also one of my favorite movies of the year, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a hilarious dark comedy that has so much heart and spirit that it will go down as one of Wes Anderson’s most memorable piece in his filmography. The beautiful set designs with a score composed by Alexandre Desplat make this a wonderful 100 minute adventure. Ralph Fiennes also does such a stellar job that he easily positions himself for a Best Actor nod come awards season. The storytelling by Anderson keeps getting better with each film and this is at the top of his list. BUY IT! Special features included are:

Bill Murray Tours The Town
Kunstmuseum Zubrowka Lecture
The Society of the Crossed Keys
The Making of the Grand Budapest Hotel
- Part 1 – The Story
- Part 2 – The Society of the Crossed Keys
- Part 3 – Creating The Hotel
- Part 4 – Creating A World
Mendl’s Secret Recipe
Promotional Featurettes – “Cast” and “Wes Anderson”
Stills Gallery

Joe (David Gordon Green) An ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin. Starring Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, and Gary Poulter

Nicolas Cage tones down the crazy and puts on his dramatic pants to provide a rather sullen and dark, tragic figure. The relationship between Joe and the boy Gary is rather compelling as we see them grow on camera. The movie is a very slow build, but the subtle character work behind Nic Cage is the shining star. There isn’t much to the story with its overly long run time. I would NETFLIX IT on a rainy day. Special features included are:

“The Making of Joe” featurette
“The Long Gravel Drive: The Origins of Joe” featurette
Deleted Scenes
Audio commentary with director David Gordon Green, composer David Wingo and actor Brian D. Mays

Ernest & Celestine (Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner) The story of an unlikely friendship between a bear, Ernest, and a young mouse named Celestine. Starring Lambert Wilson, Pauline Brunner, Forest Whitaker, and Mackenzie Foy

This is a really sweet movie with lovely characters and “watercolor” like illustrations. Ernest & Celestine is a cute, intimate story that tugs on your heartstrings while amazing you with its simple visuals. It wasn’t nominated for Best Animated Feature for no reason. It isn’t a Pixar or Disney movie that has tons of depth, but the main characters are well thought out the tone is great. BUY IT IF YOU LOVE ANIMATED MOVIES! RENT IT IF YOU WANT TO CHECK IT OUT! Special features includes:

Original French Audio Track with English Subtitles
Making Of Featurette
Feature-length Animatic
Interview with Benjamin Renner

Walk of Shame (Steven Brill) [Limited] Rated R [95 min] – A reporter’s dream of becoming a news anchor is compromised after a one-night stand leaves her stranded in downtown L.A. without a phone, car, ID or money – and only 8 hours to make it to the most important job interview of her life. Starring Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden, Gillian Jacobs, and Sarah Wright

This movie looked like garbage, I haven’t seen it. I wouldn’t recommend seeing it. This movie came out in May and is already out on home video. That might tell you something. SKIP IT! Plus there are no special features!