DVD Releases of the Week: 'The Expendables 3,' 'What If' & 'The Giver' Are Top Releases for Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving weekend gives a chance for families to sit down and watch a diverse amount of films.
While "The Hunger Games," "Penguins of Madagscar" and "Horrible Bosses 2" will give movie theater audiences plenty to view, there are plenty of movies for audiences who would rather stay home:
The Expendables 3
For audiences who are into action, "The Expendables 3" is a definite alternative to going to the movies.
After flopping at the box office, Lionsgate will reinvigorate the series on DVD since there are no real action movies currently in the marketplace. Starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Antonio Banderas, the new film tells the story of Barney, who augments his team with new blood for a personal battle. He must take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables' co-founder and a notorious arms trader who is hell bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates. While it is unlikely to appeal to the uninitiated, it will definitely appeal to fans of the series.
The Giver
The Weinstein Company may be gearing up for awards season. However, the company is prepared to counter "The Hunger Games" with "The Giver," based on the acclaimed and popular Lois Lowry novel. While the movie flopped at the box office and underperformed, the feature is likely to get a following on home video especially with schools still teaching the novel. The movie, starring Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges and Brenton Thwaites, tells the story of a young boy who is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world. For young adult audiences who are not interested in Katniss' adventure, "The Giver" will definitely be a fun alternative.
What If
For those interested in a thoughtful comedy, Daniel Radcliffe's romantic comedy will definitely be an enjoyable choice. After having a hard time in the summer, CBS films will try to lure Radcliffe fans to the feature. Having premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, the feature score rave reviews and had awards buzz. The feature tells the story of Wallace, who is burned out from a string of failed relationships, and forms an instant bond with Chantry, who lives with her longtime boyfriend. Together, they puzzle out what it means if your best friend is also the love of your life. With no romantic comedies currently playing in theaters, this love story will be a great alternative to the heavy dramas that are normal for this season.
The November Man
For those in search of spy drama, the Pierce Brosnan feature is perfect. The movie tells the story of an ex-CIA operative who is brought back in on a very personal mission and finds himself pitted against his former pupil in a deadly game involving high-level CIA officials and the Russian president-elect. The movie was originally promoted as the next big spy franchise in the same vein as 007 or the Bourne series. However, Brosnan no longer has the selling power he had in the 90s and the movie scored a negative reception. "The November Man," however, could still be fun for audiences in search of a fun action movie.
Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas
Almost a year after the release of the movie, Tyler Perry's film is being brought to DVD in time for Christmas and the holiday season. The movie tells the story of Madea who dispenses her unique form of holiday spirit on a rural town when she's coaxed into helping a friend pay her daughter a surprise visit in the country for Christmas. The film is likely to attract Tyler Perry fans, but will likely get lost in the mix classic holiday films.
Distrib Films will release the French feature "Jealousy." When Latin Post saw the movie at the New York Film festival in 2013, it called it "A Tedious and Difficult Viewing." Meanwhile, Monterey Media will debut "Rhymes for Young Ghouls" while Kino Lorber will distribute "Manuscripts Don't Burn."