DVD Releases of the Week: Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper's 'Serena' Released Alongside 'Kingman: The Secret Service'
This week studios will offer few home video releases in order to avoid competition from "Jurassic World." However, there are plenty of genres for moviegoers including action, drama, and comedy.
"Kingsman: The Secret Service": Matthew Vaughn's latest film will finally be available on home video after one of most successful runs of the year. The film, starring Colin Firth, Michael Caine and Taron Egerton, tells the story of a spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. The action drama scored solid reviews and created solid word-of-mouth. Additionally, Fox announced after the run that the studio was planning a sequel for the film. "Kingsman" will definitely be a hit on DVD, and on demand will likely to be a fan favorite for many years to come.
"The Duff": Lionsgate will release the high film starring Bella Thorne and Mae Whitman after a successful run. "The Duff" tells the story of a high school senior who instigates a social pecking order revolution after finding out that she has been labeled the DUFF -- Designated Ugly Fat Friend -- by her prettier, more popular counterparts. The film scored rave reviews and instantly became a hit making $34 million at the box office. Lionsgate gave the film a modest marketing campaign that was effective and geared it toward younger women audiences. With good word-of-mouth after its theatrical run, this film should easily continue to play well with younger women.
"Project Almanac": The Michael Bay produced film tells the story of a group of teens who discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control. When the film opened in January, Paramount gave it a huge marketing campaign, but bad reviews combined with its status within the unpopular found-footage genre inhibited the movie from being a box office success. While it made its budget back, the feature did not live up to expectations. Expect teen audiences to embrace the film.
"Red Army": Sony Pictures will release the hockey documentary about the Soviet Union's famed Red Army hockey team. The documentary was a huge success when it premiered at Cannes Film festival and later went on to become a festival hit as it also played at New York, Telluride, Toronto and AFI among others. When it opened in January reviews were great and it landed a modest box office run. With Hockey season approaching its end, this film could give fans of the sport something to watch while they await the next season.
"Serena": Magnolia will release the critically derided depression era drama starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The film tell the story of George Pemberton, whose timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena. The film was delayed for a number of years, and when it was finally screened at the London Film Festival it scored negative reviews. When the movie was released, Magnolia decided to take it out in both on demand and limited theatrical run. Even though it reunited Cooper and Lawrence for the third time, it was a box office flop. It will be interesting to see how audiences respond to the film on home video and if it attracts Lawrence and Cooper fans.