New on DVD this week:
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
“It” couple Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone (Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate) want the nightly news spot, a chair occupied by veteran newsman Mark Tannen (Harrison Ford). When Veronica gets the job, Ron hits the skids. Then GNN, the first 24-hour news network, comes calling: it’s time to get the old gang back together. The Blu-ray has a staggering number of extras: commentary on the extended version with writer/director Adam McKay, producer Judd Apatow, Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechner; a behind-the-scenes special, gag reel (ad-libbing causes hysteria all around), line-o-rama, news-o-rama and kench-o-rama; live at the dolphin show; several behind-the-scenes extras (including the musical that never was); RV stunts; extended and deleted scenes.
47 Ronin
Fantastical creatures, a “half-breed” raised on magic and sorcery: Keanu Reeves stars in a new kind of samurai movie. He plays Kai, man cast out by his people but called back into service by 47 outcast samurai — ronin — whose leader Lord Asano (Min Tanaka) has been killed and dishonoured. Revenge is on their minds and Kai is the man to help them do it. Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano co-star in this film, heavy on the visual spectacle. Blu-ray features include an extra on the fights of the film, one on the impressive creative effects, deleted scenes, and the origin of the 47 Ronin legend, told by Reeves, director Carl Rinsch, Sanada, producers and other cast and crew.
Walking With Dinosaurs
It’s been a long time since a movie brought dinosaurs to life quite like Walking With Dinosaurs does. Patchi the Pachyrhinosaurus is the runt of the litter, but destined for greatness. He leads the adventure, which is available in 2D or 3D and peppered with pop-up facts about all the dinosaurs and creatures of the late cretaceous period. John Leguizamo and Justin Long lend voice talents. The Blu-ray combo pack includes an Ultimate Dino Guide, an interactive extra; map, game and trivia.
The Past
Asghar Farhadi, director of the Academy Award winning A Separation, scored another Best Foreign Film nomination with The Past. Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) returns to Paris from Iran to finalize his divorce from wife Marie (Berenice Bejo), and discovers that she plans to remarry. As if things aren’t tense enough, her teen daughter Lucie’s (Pauline Burlet) surliness points to bigger family secrets. Special features include commentary with the director, a making-of extra, a Directors’ Guild of America Q&A with Farhadi on the writing process, and theatrical trailer.
