DVD Releases of the Week: Oscar Nominee 'The Boxtrolls', 'Lucy' Among New Movies
This week, studios will release a number of Indie flicks, dramas, horror flicks and one of the animated Oscar nominees.
The films offer a variety of genres that are currently lacking in the box office and a number of films that were big hits during their theatrical runs.
"Annabelle"
A year after the release of "The Conjuring," Warner Bros. released the prequel "Annabelle." The horror flick tells the story of a couple who begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists. The movie received terrible reviews, but obtained a following and had a successful box office. During its release, it made $83 million. With no horror movies currently in the marketplace, "Annabelle" will likely to be a big hit on DVD and will likely obtain a cult following.
"The Boxtrolls"
Laika Entertainment and Focus Features will release their latest collaboration. The new film, which was nominated for the Academy Award, tells the story of a young orphaned boy who is raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors and tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children's novel "Here Be Monsters," by Alan Snow, the movie scored rave reviews and is the frontrunner to win the animated film award. While the movie was not a huge hit at the box office, the film will appeal to family audiences and stop motion fans. It will also appeal to audiences looking to see all the Oscar nominees.
"The Drop"
Originally intended as an awards player, Fox Searchlight will release the September release. The film, starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and James Gandolfini, tells the story of Bob Saginowski who finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood's past where friends, families and foes all work together to make a living. The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival where it scored rave reviews, and some critics compared to classic gangster pictures. However, when it opened, the movie failed to live up to box office expectations. It also failed to obtain the awards buzz most pundits expected. It is likely the movie will play well with fans of the late Gandolfini and crime drama fans.
"Lucy"
Starring Scarlett Johansson, the Universal release tells the story of a woman who accidentally gets caught in a dark deal and turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic. The movie was a smash hit during the summer and became one of the big success stories. It proved that Johansson still has selling power and was also among the few woman-driven films that could break the No. 1 spot at the box office. Johansson was hailed for her performance, and the action sequences directed by Luc Besson were also praised for their originality. Science Fiction fans and Johansson followers will definitely flock to this film.
A number of indie films will also be released including Oscilloscope Picture's "Coherence" and Music Box films' acclaimed film "The Green Prince."
Filmbuff's "The Internet's Own Boy" and Cohen Media Group's "May in the Summer" will also be available on DVD. Well Go USA will also release "The Pirate," and Samuel Goldwyn will release "Rudderless," starring Billy Crudup, Anton Yelchin and Selena Gomez.
The Shailene Woodley drama "White Bird in a Blizzard" will also be released by Magnolia, and Ketchup Entertainment will release "Wolves."
Terry Gilliam's "The Zero Theorem" will also get a second life on DVD. The new film stars Oscar winners Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton.