Now Available to Own: Interstellar, The Imitation Game, Veep, and More

Brace your bank accounts, it’s time to see what’s Now Available to Own for the week of March 31, 2015. Every Tuesday we run down new movie, television, and video game releases that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home, as well as some slick deals that can save you some coin. New on shelves this week are Interstellar, The Imitation Game, Veep (Season 3), and more, which you can find after the jump.

Movies on Blu-ray

Interstellar (Christopher Nolan) Rated PG-13 [169 min] – A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine

If I’d have to describe Interstellar in one word it would have to be polarizing. It definitely has that big picture ambition to try and be something greater than it actually is. And that’s because the execution was pretty poor in terms of building a narrative that had smart characters. Honest Trailers did a pretty good job at picking this film apart, but I’d give Interstellar a little more credit than most. I liked the paths it led me down to come to my own conclusions rather than having all of the themes completely spelled out. But yes, the very ending is rather lackluster. BUY ON SALE! Special features included are:

For a limited time, the Blu-ray Combo Pack will also include an authentic, collectible Interstellar film cell from an original 70MM IMAX print of the film.
The Science of Interstellar
Plotting an Interstellar Journey
Life on Cooper’s Farm
The Dust
TARS and CASE
Cosmic Sounds
The Space Suits
The Endurance
Shooting in Iceland: Miller’s Planet/Mann’s Planet
The Ranger and the Lander
Miniatures in Space
The Simulation of Zero-G
Celestial Landmarks
Across All Dimensions and Time
Final Thoughts
Theatrical Trailers

The Imitation Game (Morten Tyldum) Rated PG-13 [114 min] – English mathematician and logician, Alan Turing, helps crack the Enigma code during World War II. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong

To this day I still don’t quite understand why The Imitation Game garnered so much praise. It’s an above average biopic, sure, but it’s still fairly immemorable because it follows the basic biopic principles. The story of Alan Turing’s life is tragic, but the story didn’t really build to much of anything substantial or tell us something profound to resonate with. The best thing this film has going for it are its performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightley. RENT IT! Special features included are:

Special Commentary
The Making of The Imitation Game
Q&A Highlights
Deleted scenes

Wild (Jean-Marc Vallée) Rated R [115 min] – A chronicle of one woman’s 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann, and Michiel Huisman

For as good as a performance that Reese Witherspoon puts on here, it is largely held back by the terrible editing and lack of depth director Jean-Marc Vallée puts on display here. At no point did I ever resonate with Cheryl Strayed nor did I find her enlightenment inspiring. On all accounts it should be and there are moments that really shine through, but Wild is an average biopic that is beautifully shot with value. RENT IT! Special features included are:

The Real Cheryl Strayed
The Real Location Is The Best Location
How Much Does A Monster Weigh?
The Pacific Crest Trail Interactive Map
Deleted Scenes – with Optional Commentary by Jean-Marc Vallée
Seven Promotional Featurettes
Audio Commentary by Jean-Marc Vallée, Bruna Papandrea and David Greenbaum
Experiencing the PCT: A Special Message From Cheryl Strayed
Theatrical Trailer
Gallery

Wild Card (Simon West) Rated R [92 min] – When a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal skills and a gambling problem gets in trouble with the mob, he has one last play…and it’s all or nothing. Starring Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Dominik García-Lorido, and Milo Ventimiglia

If you like Jason Statham you’re going to get what you expect. The story is pretty middling and the acting is subpar, but the biggest problem is the originality and pacing. It’s kind of a bore with little to keep you hooked. There really is nothing interesting or new to this kind of genre movie, but at least the action is pretty well done. NETFLIX IT! Special features included are:

“Original Sin: Las Vegas and the Characters of Wild Card” featurette
“Script Vignette” featurette
Audio Commentary with Director Simon West

Gravity (Alfonso Curaón) (Diamond Luxe Edition) Rated PG-13 [90 min] – A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

This is a new version that comes with a scoreless presentation so you can see the whole movie with only the sound of the actors’ voices and sound mixing. It would be interesting to check out, and I would definitely BUY IT! if you don’t have the film already. Special features included are:

Looking to the Stars: The Evolution of Space Films
Sandra’s Birthday Wish
Gravity: The Human Experience
Gravity: Silence Space
and more