New on DVD this week:
Think Like a Man Too
The crew from the first film is back. It’s boys versus girls on a bachelor-party weekend in Vegas, which means hookups by the pool and duck-and-weave to avoid the overbearing mother of the groom (Jenifer Lewis). Along the way they meet a rival bachelor party (led by Adam Brody) and try hard to put baby-making stress, promotion woes and aging worries behind them for just one night. Kevin Hart is the film’s manic centre and incessant voiceover narrator; co-stars include Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Taraji P. Henson, Romany Malco, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, and more. Special features on the Blu-ray include a gag reel, deleted scenes, an in-depth look at the sequel, a look at Vegas as a locale and an extra where Hart summarizes the film.
Ivory Tower
Documentary or horror story, you be the judge. If you’re a parent feeling “sticker shock” at the price of higher education, or if you’re a graduate who can’t get a job despite your degree, Ivory Tower feels very much like the latter. The Grand Jury Prize at Sundance asks the scary question: is college worth it? Filmmakers look at how the mission to educate young people has become a competition for prestige. And how the cost -- which has "increased more than any other good or service in the U.S. economy since 1978" -- is squeezing everyone out. Colleges are getting into debt, too, in the race to create the perfect higher-learning product. The standard disc includes a Q&A filmmakers from Angelika Film Center in New York City, plus deleted scenes.
Postman Pat, The Movie
Postman Pat has been a staple for children in Britain since its TV debut in 1981: even the original theme song had three runs on the U.K. pop charts. Now Pat and his trusty cat Jess have their very own feature film. Streamlining cuts at the postal service -- and the introduction of postal robots -- have nixed Pat and wife Sara’s Italian holiday plans. But when a talent show lorded over by Simon Cowbell hosts auditions in Greendale, Pat sees a way out. As Pat robots wreak havoc in Greendale, elsewhere Pat merchandise, fan websites and paparazzi threaten to make Pat’s ego outgrow his uniform. Purists may bristle at a Pat update that has forgotten its village-centric, stop-motion roots, but Postman Pat, The Movie is a rare commodity these days: an unabashedly kid-friendly film that embraces silliness and still gets a grown-up stamp of approval.
Tale of the Brave
Not to be outdone by his countryman, Thomas the Tank Engine has a new film, Tale of the Brave, where, after a landslide, mysterious footprints appear on the Island of Sodor and “obstacles and danger appear round every bend.” Not to worry: Thomas and Percy will prevail, and learn the importance of friendship and bravery along the way. Sing-along music videos and guess-who puzzles are included on the Blu-ray disc.
TV on DVD
* Crossbones, season one is a high- production, high-seas adventure made great by John Malcovich as the baddie, a pirate named Edward “Blackbeard” Teach with a penchant for throat-slitting, and for clocks. Tom Lowe (Richard Coyle) is a ship’s physician and spy tasked with protecting an instrument vital to the English crown and assassinating Blackbeard, if ever possible. “You have something of the pirate about you,” Blackbeard admires, and his captive doctor returns the favour. Julian Sands and Claire Foy co-star in this series, which is bloody good fun. The DVD features deleted scenes from the series.
* About a Boy follows the story of an irresponsible man-child (played by David Walton) who becomes neighbours with a quirky kid (Benjamin Stockham) and his neurotic mom Fiona (Minnie Driver). Marcus isn’t allowed to eat dairy, gluten or meat or watch TV; Will can’t love anybody but himself. Their unusual friendship breaks all the rules. Based on the novel by Nick Hornby and directed by Jon Favreau, About a Boy is a sweet dramatic comedy about two boys learning to grow up. Season One on DVD includes 13 episodes.
* Mayhem in cow town is a little less formidable thanks to the men and women of Chicago P.D. Overseeing all is Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), a former dirty cop back on assignment. Season One features 15 episodes and two bonus episodes. There is some crossover with Chicago Fire thanks to shared producers. Season Two of Chicago Fire sees the firefighters of Firehouse 51 battling both flames and bureaucracy: cutbacks mean new blood and growing pains in the firehouse. Extras on the DVD include four behind-the-scenes extras, an I Am a Firefighter digital series, pilot episode, and conclusion to the Chicago Fire/Chicago P.D. crossover event.
