Brace your bank accounts, it’s time to see what’s Now Available to Own for the week of October 27, 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 help save you some coin. New on shelves this week are Halo 5: Guardians, Southpaw, The Gift, and more.
Movies on Blu-ray
Pixels (Chris Columbus) Rated PG-13 [105 min] – When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games. Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, and Brian Cox
This movie is a load of garbage that houses great potential and squanders it to present little entertainment value. Pixels is far better than a lot of the flops Adam Sandler has dished out recently, but that’s like saying one episode of The Walking Dead is more upbeat and chipper than the others. The characters are horrendous to root for and the women are given nothing to do and written terribly. This movie was DOA as soon as they announced Adam Sandler’s name.
Special features include:
- Two Featurettes
- Q*Bert – The adorable digital bit hopper comes to life in PIXELS!
- Dojo Quest – A look at the new classic arcade game that gave life to the unstoppable Lady Lisa.
- Game On Music Video by Waka Flocka Flame ft. Good Charlotte
- Six Featurettes (Blu-ray Exclusive):
- The Creator of the Machine
- The Space Invader
- PAC-MAN
- Donkey Kong
- Centipede
- Galaga
Southpaw (Antoine Fuqua) Rated R [123 min] – Boxer Billy Hope turns to trainer Tick Willis to help him get his life back on track after losing his wife in a tragic accident and his daughter to child protection services. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence, Forest Whitaker, Naomi Harris, and 50 Cent
If you’ve seen one boxing movie you’ve seen Southpaw. Jake Gyllenhaal is a physical powerhouse and a big presence on screen, but there’s hardly any depth to him or his characters to really care or set him apart from any other boxing story we’ve seen before. There’s also very little energy, which is surprisingly with how electrifying and tense boxing can be.
Special features include:
- Deleted scenes
- Southpaw: Inside the Ring
- Q&A with Cast
- Extended Training Montage
The Gift (Joel Edgerton) Rated R [108 min] – A young married couple’s lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when an acquaintance from the husband’s past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years. Starring Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, and Allison Tolman
One of the more surprising films of the year, The Gift delivers many twists and turns that lead up to a very rewarding climax. There haven’t been too many revelatory films quite like The Gift that really shake things up right to the very end and make you think about the actions and the consequences of the characters. Joel Edgerton did a fantastic job as a first time director, while also performing quite well.
Special features include:
- Alternate Ending [with Optional Introduction by Writer/Director Joel Edgerton]
- Deleted Scenes [with Optional Introduction by Writer/Director Joel Edgerton]
- Karma for Bullies
- The Darker Side of Jason Bateman
- Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Joel Edgerton
Max (Boaz Yakin) Rated PG [111 min] – A dog that helped US Marines in Afghanistan returns to the U.S. and is adopted by his handler’s family after suffering a traumatic experience. Starring Thomas Haden Church, Josh Wiggins, Luke Kleintank, and Lauren Graham
There seems to be two different movies here: a family-friendly romp about coping with loss and a dark, underground story about cartels and weapons. Max has weird tonal shifts that can’t find an acceptable middle to find enjoyable. It leans far on one side or the other. The film has all the best intentions but because of its mishandled direction it isn’t quite the compelling film it seeks out to be.
Special features include:
- Working with Max: Meet the dogs that play “Max” and see inside tricks of the trade!
- Hero Dogs: A Journey – Get a behind-the-scenes look at amazing military trained K9s.
Other Titles Now Available
- Sailor Moon R: Season 2 Part 2
- My Fair Lady (50th Anniversary Edition)
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (40th Anniversary Edition)
- The Human Centipede [The Final Sequence]
- Downton Abbey: Seasons 1-5
Video Games
WWE 2K16 (Yuke’s and Visual Concepts) [Available for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 3] – Get in the ring and Raise Some Hell with WWE 2K16! The undisputed champion of wrestling games returns with the biggest roster in WWE games history and the ‘Texas Rattlesnake’ Stone Cold Steve Austin as its Cover Superstar! Play as your favorite Superstars from the past, present and future and experience the most authentic, comprehensive, in-your-face WWE video game of all-time!
It’s amazing what game developers can squeeze out of these sports properties to make them feel different each year. WWE 2K16 looks as entertaining as any other WWE game, and I’m glad to see they continue to provide variety. If you smell what I’m cooking.
Key game features include:
- Biggest Roster in WWE Video Game History: Play as over 120 unique characters
- Improved and Refined Gameplay:
- 2K Showcase
- New Creation Suite Features:
- MyCAREER Mode
- 3-Man Commentary Team
- WWE Universe
Blu-Ray Deals and Steals
- The Incredibles – $18.99
- Mad Max: Fury Road – $14.99
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas – $9.99
- Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 40th Anniversary Black Maria – $39.99
- Sweeney Todd – $4.99
- My Neighbor Totoro – $12.99
- Ponyo – $12.99
- Edge of Tomorrow – $9.99
- Howl’s Moving Castle – $12.99
- Castle in the Sky – $12.99
- Beyond the Lights – $9.99
- Stoker – $4.99
- A Christmas Story – $7.99
- The Hills have Eyes Unrated – $7.99
- The Grand Budapest Hotel – $9.99
All prices from Amazon.com. Best Buy, Frys, and Target all price match online prices.
What will you be taking home this week? Tell us in the comments section below!
All plot synopses come courtesy of IMDb.com
Title Image Source: GameSpot