DVD Releases of the Week: 'Transformers: Age Of Extinction' Explodes Into Home Video; 'Chef' Also Released
Comedy, drama, action and explosions are what's in store for home video audiences Tuesday in the latest crop of new DVDs available this week.
Hollywood will offer a number of new selections for a variety of audiences. So what's in stores on Sept. 30?
Transformers: Age of Extinction
If you're looking for lots of action and explosions, Michael Bay's fourth installment in the mega hit series is the right fit. The new film stars Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor and tells the story of a mechanic and his family who join the Autobots as they are targeted by a bounty hunter from another world. The Paramount Pictures actioner opened in June to terrible reviews, with critics stating it was incoherent. As a result, it became the lowest grossing film domestically, but somehow it was an international success. While it offers the same type of action the previous installments had, this one will attract the series' fanbase.
Chef
It's hard to come by a sweet comedy about food, but this one is definitely a must-see. The new film by Jon Favreau stars Sofia Vergara, Favreau, Scarlett Johansson, John Leguizamo and Robert Downey Jr. and tells the story of a chef who loses his restaurant job and must start up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.
The Open Roads film opened at the Tribeca Film Festival and became an instant hit. It later grossed $31 million and became the second highest grossing indie film of the year. Latin Post raved about "Chef" and stated "the movie turns out to be far more. It is a celebration of humanity, community and the individual's ability to have a positive impact on those around them." "Chef" will definitely attract a family environment and will also attract the stars' fan bases.
Third Person
Audiences who are in search of a hyperlink film from Paul Haggis, the Academy Award-winning director of "Crash," will definitely look towards this new film. Starring Liam Neeson, James Franco, Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde, the drama tells the story of three interlocking love stories involving three couples in three cities: Rome, Paris and New York. While Sony Pictures Classics gave the film a marketing push, it ultimately flopped at the box office due to lackluster reviews and bad timing. Audiences are not interested in dramas during the summer. However, now Oscar season has begun, this will definitely catch on, especially for those interested in seeing what the director "Crash" did after winning an Oscar and virtually disappearing.
Cold in July
IFC will release the critically-acclaimed Sundance flick starring Michael C. Hall. The film tells the story of a protective father who meets a murderous ex-con. When they both need to deviate from the path they are on, they soon find themselves entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront their own inner psyche. While the movie garnered rave reviews, it failed to capture good earning at the box office. The film itself is a difficult sell as it has lots of twist and turns. Latin Post stated, "The promise of 'Cold in July's' opening act creates the notion that the viewer will be in for a relentless thrill ride. But unfortunately, the opening act turns out to be nothing more than a red herring for the rest of the film, which unfortunately amounts to nothing more than violent chaos with no seeming direction or identity." If audiences enjoy twisty films that change tone, then this will be a good fit. However, if violence and chaos is not for them, this a bad fit.
IFC Films will also release the poorly-received "Lucky Them," starring Thomas Haden Church, as well as the Sundance hit "Hellion." The company will also take out "Ivory Tower," which premiered at Sundance.
Meanwhile, Millennium Entertainment will release "Are You Here?" The new comedy stars Owen Wilson, Amy Poehler and Zach Galifianakis and, while it premiered at Toronto last year to bad reviews, it will likely generate audience due to its stars.