Now Available to Own: Maleficent, The Newsroom, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and More

Prepare your bank accounts, it’s time to see what’s Now Available to Own for the week of November 4, 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 Maleficent, The Newsroom, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and more. Check out the complete list of new releases after the jump.

Movies on Blu-Ray

Maleficent (Robert Stromberg) Rated PG [97 min] – A vindictive fairy is driven to curse an infant princess only to realize the child may be the only one who can restore peace. Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, and Lesley Manville

What we have here is 2/3 of an OK movie. In the last third of Maleficent, everything just goes crazy and ends in the most Disney way imaginable. I wish this movie took a little more chances, but at least Angelina’s performance meets expectations and more. (Watch the teaser.) Special features included are:

From Fairy Tale to Feature Film – Reimagining Maleficent for a new generation
Building An Epic Battle –Creating the clash between Maleficent and King Henry’s Forces
Classic Couture – Examine Maleficent’s spellbinding head wraps and jewelry
Maleficent Revealed – Explore the layers of extraordinary special effects
Aurora: Becoming A Beauty – Elle Fanning reveals her lifelong love of Disney’s original animated classic.
Deleted Scenes
And More!

Step Up All In (Trish Sie) Rated PG-13 [112 min] – All-stars from the previous Step Up installments come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers. Starring Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Adam G. Sevani, and Misha Gabriel Hamilton

I love this franchise because it is one of my guilty pleasures. The whole concept of dance to answer whatever problem occurs in that movie is just too entertainingly hilarious not to see. The dialogue is beyond saving, but the dancing is spectacular. There’s a reason why in France it’s called “Sexy Dance.” This movie has a stronger narrative than the others, but that doesn’t say much. I would say it’s on par with Step Up 2 The Streets, which is still my favorite. Special features included are:

Audio Commintary with Director Trish Sie and Actress Briana Evigan
Ryan’s Favorite dance scenes (with optional commentary)
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes (Blu-ray exclusive):
- All in with the Crew
- Dance Breakdown: Final Stage
- Clap,Stomp, Slide: The Sounds of Battle
The Vortex Dance Index

Hercules (Brett Ratner) Rated PG-13 [98 min] – Having endured his legendary twelve labors, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord. Starring Dwayne Johnson, John Hurt, Ian McShane, and Joseph Fiennes

I missed this movie because it looks absolutely terrible. The trailer gives away practically the whole thing. There are a ton of special features to make of for the lack of there being a good movie at least:

Theatrical version in high definition
- Commentary by director Brett Ratner and producer Beau Flynn
Extended cut in high definition
Brett Ratner and Dwayne Johnson: An Introduction
Hercules and his Mercenaries—Delve into the story behind the team assembled by Hercules for his perilous missions and the skills required of them.
Weapons!—Exploration of the weapons created for the spectacular action scenes, including training with the actors.
The Bessi Battle—Discover how one of the major action sequences of the film was created with the filmmakers, actors, stunt team, make-up effects and more.
The Effects of Hercules—A behind-the-scenes look at the film’s spectacular visual effects.
15 Deleted/Extended Scenes

A Most Wanted Man (Anton Corbijn) Rated R [122 min] – A Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught in the international war on terror. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Daniel Brühl

Unfortunately I was too busy to catch one of Hoffman’s final performances, but the metacritc rating is sitting at a 73% and it’s certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Special features included are:

“The Making of A Most Wanted Man” featurette
“Spymaster: John le Carré in Hamburg” featurette

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Peter Jackson) Rated PG-13 [186 min] – The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring. Starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Armitage, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, and Ken Stott (Watch the trailer)

To me, Smaug is more exciting but less interesting than An Unexpected Journey. The action is great, but there is no Bilbo in it. I doubt the extended edition would resolve my issues. Special features included are:

Audio Commentary with Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens
New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2
The Appendices Part 9 & 10
And more

Planes: Fire & Rescue (Roberts Gannaway) Rated PG [83 min] – When Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he joins a forest fire and rescue unit to be trained as a firefighter. Starring Dane Cook, Ed Harris, and Julie Bowen

For the kids. Special features included are:

Exclusive Animated Short: “Vitaminamulch: Air Spectacular”
Welcome to Piston Peak! – This mockumentary promotional piece shows off all the highlights of the acclaimed Piston Peak National Park and its aerial firefighting team.
CHoPs TV Promo – An in-world TV promo.
Air Attack: Firefighters From The Sky – This high-energy, music-driven behind-the-scenes piece takes an inside look at the real smoke jumpers and firefighters who attack wildfires from the air as Director Roberts Gannaway and Producer Ferrell Barron take us through their journey in making the film.
Spencer Lee Music Video: “Still I Fly”
Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions
Animated Shorts
DMA Discover Content