DVDs of the Week: 'Interstellar,' 'Imitation Game' Headline Home Video Releases
With "Furious 7" coming out this weekend, the studios will release three of the most successful films of 2014. "Interstellar," "The Imitation Game" and "Wild" will offer up alternatives to the mega blockbuster.
"Interstellar" -- The Academy Award winning film by Christopher Nolan comes out after a successful theatrical run. The film, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, tells the story of a team of explorers who travel through a wormhole in an attempt to ensure humanity's survival. The movie opened back in November and, although it scored mixed reviews, there were many fans that stood behind it. "Intertsellar" was among the director's most divisive films because the script is filled with a plethora of plot holes. However, it still managed to make $188 million domestically and $672 million worldwide. While it isn't Nolan's most successful entry thus far, "Interstellar" will still appeal to Nolan fans as well as Science Fiction fans.
"The Imitation Game" -- The latest film from the Weinstein Company, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, tells the story of iconic mathematician Alan Turing who tries to crack the enigma code with help win World War II. Nominated for eight Oscars and winning one, the film was a huge box office success and became a huge awards contender last year. The film was originally acquired at the Berlin Film Festival in 2014 for record $7 million and the Weinstein Company gave it a huge marketing campaign. While "The Imitation Game" stirred controversy among many groups, the film will likely appeal to those interested in seeing a well-made drama or those interested in Alan Turing's story.
"Wild" -- Jean-Marc Vallee's latest film will be released after being a huge box office success. The awards contender chronicles the journey of Cheryl Strayed who hiked 1,100-miles on her own as a way to recover from recent trauma. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, the movie got both actresses nominations at the Academy Awards. Witherspoon was hailed for her performance and many believed it shows her best performance to date. "Wild" originally opened at the Toronto and Telluride Film Festivals, where the film garnered buzz. While the film has a dark subject manner, it will definitely be embraced by Witherspoon fans and those who have read Strayed's original memoir.
Yves Saint Laurent -- The Weinstein Company's film, which takes a look at the life of French designer Yves Saint Laurent from the beginning of his career in 1958 when he met his lover and business partner Pierre Berge, finally gets released after a terrible theatrical run. The movie was among the two biopics on the life of the famous fashion designer. Directed by Jalil Lespert, this version scored mixed reviews and will likely be ignored once Sony Pictures Classics releases "Saint Laurent."
The week will also see the release of Jason Statham's "Wild Card." The release comes at a proper time, especially since the actor is starring in "Furious 7," and, as a result, "Wild Card" could get more attention.
The Marisa Tomei and Hugh Grant romantic comedy "The Rewrite" will also be released, as well as the horror film "Outcast."