DVD News

Whether it’s a classic musical or a ground-breaking play, works written for the stage don’t always successfully translate to the big screen. Those that do, however, shine with such potential that makes for some of the most well adapted stage-to-screen films of all time, and in time, fundamentally earn the title of being classics in their own right.

To celebrate the release of one the most beautifully transitioned plays to film, The Pass, coming to DVD April 10^th, we are taking a look at an array of the most thought-provoking and attention-grabbing plays which were resuited for the big screen.

Debut director Emiliano Rocha Minter’s WE ARE THE FLESH is an extraordinary and unsettling film experience about a young brother and sister roaming an apocalyptic city, who take refuge in the dilapidated lair of a strange hermit, who takes them on a sexually-charged, nightmarish journey into an other-worldy dimension. The film, just this week released by Arrow Video, is certainly not for the prudish or faint-hearted, featuring explicit sex and grotesque set pieces, building to a finale of demonically depraved proportions, making WE ARE THE FLESH extreme art cinema at its boldest and most taboo-bustingly bizarre.

Just in time for you to binge catch up before the second season airs, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing the “steaming hot” first season of “Lucifer“ on Blu-ray^TM & DVD this October 17, 2016.

It’s no secret that TV spin-off shows can be a challenge to get right, and there are plenty of examples of failed attempts. That being said, some of the best shows have created equally popular spin-offs, from “Cheers” and “Frasier” to “Dr. Who” and “Torchwood.” To celebrate the DVD and Blu-ray release of the second season of DC’s own epic spin-off “The Flash” out now, here are some of the best and most successful ones, past and present:

Get ready for lots of laughs when Hot Pursuit comes out on Blu-ray^TM and DVD November 23^rd. Duo Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara star alongside each other in this hilarious comedy as they go on the run. To celebrate the release of the film we take a look at some of the greatest female comedy duos.

Bride Wars (2009) – Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson

Everyone knows how stressful planning a wedding can be, whether it’s you own or someone else’s but these best friends became next level Bridezilla’s when they found out they had accidentally booked the same venue on the same day!

Hilarity ensues when they declare war and attempt to sabotage each other’s weddings. This includes Emma (Hathaway) tampering with Liv’s (Hudson) hair dye so her hair turns a shocking blue colour, and Liv meddling with Emma’s pre-wedding spray tan so that she is a luminous orange colour.

Freaky Friday (2003) – Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis

The phrase ‘like mother like daughter’ could not apply more to this duo when they eat fortune cookies that contain a switching spell, and end up in each other’s bodies!

Anna (Lohan) is a typical rebellious teenager who thinks her mum Tess’s (Curtis) only purpose in life is to embarrass her, while Tess thinks Anna’s music band is just noise. When they first realise what has happened it involves a lot of screaming, and they even run full charge in to each other in the hope of switching back – ouch!

The Heat (2013) – Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy

Two FBI agents are forced to work with each other in order to complete a job – which they are not happy about! Sarah (Bullock) prefers working alone, and Shannon (McCarthy) is impatient with a hot temper – not a good match!

Their attempt at playing ‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ is hilarious as it doesn’t go to plan. Nonetheless, after a night out of drinking and dancing in front of an on looking pub, the pair soon start to work together.

Bridesmaids (2011) – Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph

Here come the girls! With a female cast this great, the film was always going to be hilarious. But it’s Wiig and Rudolph who stand out as they play best friends Anna (Wiig) and Lillian (Rudolph).

Their funniest scene has to be when Annie takes the bridal party to a Brazilian restaurant with a dress fitting lined up afterwards. Everyone gets food poisoning so Lillian ends up going to the toilet in the middle of the street, in a white wedding dress, while Annie looks on in horror. Ew!

Hot Pursuit (2015) – Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara

Get ready to laugh so much your cheeks hurt, when these two have to go on the run. Rose Cooper (Witherspoon) is a cop who is assigned to protect Daniella (Vergara) and wants to redeem herself to the police department. They end up racing through Texas in order to escape crooked cops and dangerous gunmen, which involves sticky situations and a lot of laughs.

HOT PURSUIT IS OUT ON BLU-RAY AND DVD NOVEMBER 23 and is available here.

Marvel Studios unleashes the next global phenomenon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Good intentions wreak havoc when Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) unwittingly creates Ultron (James Spader), a terrifying A.I. monster who vows to achieve “world peace” via mass extinction. Now, Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) – alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) – must reassemble to defeat Ultron and save mankind.

To celebrate the 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray and DVD release of Marvel’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron this week, we talk to Robert Downey Jr. – who plays Tony Stark/Iron Man in the movie – to discover his thoughts on the action-packed adventure…

What do you hope the audience gains from watching Marvel’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron?

I hope people say ‘Wow’ after they see this film. When you have a big movie like this, there are big expectations. I hope that audiences feel as good about this as they did when they came and saw the third Iron Man. And the same as they did when they saw the most recent Captain America and Thor. This movie is incredibly fun and thoughtful – and it has great themes. There is also a whole bunch of new characters and it really raises the bar. That’s when I know it has my seal of approval.

Where is Tony Stark when Marvel’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron opens? And how would you describe his relationship with The Avengers now?

When the movie starts, Tony is hosting The Avengers in his tower in New York. He’s working on a system that will make it so The Avengers don’t have to do what they’ve been doing all along, which purportedly should be the end game.

Captain America appears to be the leader of The Avengers in Marvel’s Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Is Tony Stark happy about that?

There are really only two relationships in Tony’s life that he’s been willing to assume a lower status. One is with Pepper Potts, obviously. And the other is with Captain America.

Why did he decide to let Captain America take charge?

Tony believes whoever does the job best should probably do that job. And while Tony brings a lot to the table, Captain America has the most experience. No one’s more battle seasoned than Captain America.

Why does Tony Stark care for The Avengers so much in the movie? In the past, he has been a pretty selfish guy…  

By having them all together, he feels like it allows him to still be the engineer and the mechanic who wants to help them all do things a little bit better. It’s like buying a football team and then wanting to redo their uniforms and give them better equipment and make them stronger, faster and safer on the field.

Tony Stark spent a lot of money upgrading Stark Tower to become The Avengers Tower in the new movie. Where does he get all this money?

I don’t know of anyone in the history of any Super Hero franchise who seems never to run out of money! Tony’s footing the bill and he can swing it, obviously. Pepper has taken over the business largely, so everything’s going to be a little more stable than when daddy was just writing checks.

What was it like to wander around the set of the Avengers Tower?

When I walked onto the set for the first time, I said, ‘Wow, this is really impressive.” But then, as we went along, somehow it wasn’t factored in what would happen when all of the candy glass from the action sequences got ground into the floor.

Did it become difficult to walk around the set?

It basically became a futuristic ice rink that was almost impossible to navigate. The floors looked so beautiful, but they were so slippery that it added unforeseen amount of excitement and danger to walking three steps. It also made everyone a much better dancer.

Every Marvel movie brings something new and different to its audience. What does Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron bring to the world this time?

Having new people in the cast is great. We now have Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. We have Paul Bettany, who’s been the voice of Jarvis all along, but now he gets to do something new with a character named Vision. And I think James Spader was a brilliant piece of casting for Ultron.

What’s it like to work with James Spader?

There are a lot of full circles going on with this movie. Probably the most personal one is James Spader. He was the first person I saw when I came to Los Angeles and he really took me under his wing. He’s just a couple years older than me, but I think it was a very inspired casting choice [to have him in the movie]. Not just because he’s on everyone’s lips and minds again, but he really is a bit of an American treasure. I’ve certainly borrowed from his style more than a few times over the years.

What was it like to have Paul Bettany on the set of the movie this time?

Another great full circle moment in this film is Paul Bettany coming in as Vision. Paul’s been essentially with me from the beginning and it was so nice to actually get him on set instead of at the premieres. He’s an amazing actor and it’s a fantastic character.

What made you perfect for the role of Tony Stark? And how did you create the character in the first place?

It was just this perfect storm of feeling like I could create the character within the guidelines of what he was always supposed to be. I always thought he was so cool when I read the comic books. I thought, ‘Let’s just keep it human and make sure there’s enough wit in there so people don’t think he’s a stiff. If I do that, it will work out alright.’

How excited were you to return to the Marvel universe with another Avengers movie?

I read Joss Whedon’s script and I said, “I think this is great.” Kevin Feige [the president of Marvel Studios] said, “You never say that. You can’t mean that.” I said, “Yeah, I think it’s great. Let’s go shoot it.”

What did you like about the script?

What I loved about this script was the further development of the complexities of the relationship between all The Avengers. I loved that Thor has a beef with me and then eventually has to give in and say I’m right. Joss created some great new situations for Tony to be in. So, rather than digging my heels and trying to rewrite every scene – to make them even better – I just showed up, and it turned out great.

What is it about the dynamic between you and Joss Whedon that works so well?

It’s a respect. Every director-actor relationship is so different. Joss is really in control and he likes to have authorship over things. For me, it was about being a little more receptive. In some ways, it makes the job easier because he has it figured out already. It’s been great…

THE BIGGEST SUPERHERO FILM OF THE YEAR IS OUT NOW ON 3D BLU-RAY™, BLU-RAY AND DVD

When Marvel‘s Avengers: Age of Ultron released in cinemas earlier this year – surpassing £18million on opening weekend – the UK premiere and press junket found brand new superhero Mini Thor grilling all the big stars. In celebration of this week’s 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray and DVD, Mini Thor has joined forces with his Mini friends to bring us the next generation of superheroes – the Mini Avengers.

Mini Iron Man, Mini Captain America, Mini Hawkeye, Mini Hulk, Mini War Machine and Mini Black Widow are taking a break from fighting the world’s most monstrous villains, by enjoying some down-time at the Mini Avengers HQ following a card-playing/orange juice guzzling filled party. With a Mini Maria Hill looking on, the Mini Avengers have re-created the famous hammer lift scene (as seen by the Avengers in Joss Whedon‘s global phenomenon), bringing us a comical sketch of everyone trying to lift Thor’s hammer.

Here’s a few behind the scenes moments to hear what the mini superheroes think of the whole “becoming an Avenger” thing…

DEAD SHADOWS has been hailed as “One of the most inventive and atmospheric sci-fi horrors in recent years” Dead Shadows comes to DVD 27th July 2015.

Recalling everything from the early works of John Carpenter to George Romero and David Cronenberg, Dead Shadows is a classic unnerving sci-fi horror with a very modern twist. In his debut Director David Cholewa’s perfectly balances a high-energy pace with a creepy, atmospheric tone – no matter how much fun you have watching it, you know something horrific is lurking just around the corner…

Synopsis:
11 Years ago, Chris’s parents were murdered the same day the Halley’s Comet was passing in the sky. Now a new comet has appeared in the sky, and bemused locals gather to view this slightly unnatural phenomenon. As night falls, Chris discovers that people are starting to act strangely; becoming disoriented and violent, which seems to be linked to the comet. It doesn’t take long before people begin to mutate into something far beyond this world. In a fight for survival, Chris tries to escape from his building with the help of a gun-taunting neighbour – but will they make it out alive?

Dead Shadows’ brilliantly conceived creatures of the night truly are the stuff of nightmares, with influences taken from Resident Evil, Shivers and The Thing. These mutating monsters will keep you awake throughout the night, tightly clutching onto your baseball bat and on the verge of a panic attack at the slightest noise or flicker of light!

The film stars Fabian Wolfrom (Bis), Blandine Marmigère (Le Monde Moit M’Arriver?), John Fallon (Death Race) and Christophe Perez (TV’s Profilage).

Be sure to check out Dead Shadows on DVD from Monday 27th July 2015 from Bulldog Film Distribution.

Last year Alain Guiraudie really hit his stride with the hard, thriller edge, Stranger By the Lake. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the 66th Cannes FIlm Festival and earned the praise of critics and the public alike, winning two awards including one for Best Director. His latest project, KING OF ESCAPE, was made before Stranger By The Lake but it further demonstrates Guirardie’s flare for passion, dark humour and arresting, controversial storytelling.

Synopsis:
King of Escape sees Ludovic Berthillot play Armand, a gay tractor salesman and not the sharpest tool in the shed. When he rescues Curly (Hafsia Herzi), the daughter of his greatest rival, the two embark on a mad chase through the forest pursued by a very angry father with a gun. Totally unknown to Armand, however, is the bizarre sexual frenzy he’s ignited in the other men in town, with him as the object of their desire.

“[A] bumptious yet tender comedy.” – New Yorker

“Thoroughly entertaining character comedy.” – Variety

KING OF ESCAPE is a film about tractors, aphrodisiacs and forbidden love. Hilarious, daring and outrageously controversial, King of Escape is a riotous French sex comedy about raising cocks in rural France and is scheduled for release on DVD and On-Demand on 23rd March 2015.

From Chris Harding, the producer of You’re Next and The Guest comes THE LAST SURVIVORS which is out on DVD 4th May 2015 from Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment.

Directed by Tom Hammock, The Last Survivors is a thrilling adventure that mixes post-apocalyptic action with classic western conventions. Beautifully shot and featuring an incredible performance from 20 year old Haley Lu Richardson, The Last Survivors also stars Booboo Stewart (X-Men: Days of Future Past) and Michael Welch (Twilight).

Synopsis:
At the edge of an expansive barren valley, all that remains of The Wallace Farm for Wayward Youth is a few hollowed-out husks of buildings. Seventeen-year-old Kendal (Richardson) can barely recall when the Oregon valley was still lush. It’s been a decade since the last rainfall, and society at large has dried up and blown away. Kendal and the few others that remain barely scrape by, while dreaming of escape. When a greedy water baron lays claim to what little of the precious resource remains underground, Kendal must decide whether to run and hide or bravely fight for the few cherished people and things she has left.

Based on Tom Hammock’s Graphic Novel and described as Mad Max via way of a Spaghetti Western, The Last Survivors is a film that delivers on action and thrills.

Extras include: Behind the Scenes Featurette, Hayley Lu Richardson’s Audition and Deleted Scenes.

Be sure to check out THE LAST SURVIVORS is out NOW!

Adam Green has been making horror films for over a decade and his fans are no stranger to his love for gore and prosthetic special effects. Considered a moder master of horror, Green has made hit after hit. His film Hatchet has on to form a trilogy and his icy cold chiller Frozen did for ski lifts what Psycho did for showers. So what is he up to next?

Adam Green’s latest project DIGGING UP THE MARROW is an ingenious genre mash-up of documentary and dark fantasy. We were there at the World Premiere at last years Film4 Frightfest and we are delighted to announce that Digging up the Marrow is finally burrowing its way on to DVD this June.

The plot of the film blurs the line between fact and fiction flawlessly. Adam Green receives a package in his fan mail from a mysterious man named William Dekker (Ray Wise). Dekker claims he can prove monsters do indeed exist and that these grotesque creatures are in fact forgotten, hideously deformed humanoids that inhabit a vast, underground metropolis of the damned. Determined to discover the truth, Green and his crew embark on a mysterious, fantastical, and terrifying journey deep into the shadows – where they dare to go Digging Up the Marrow!

We spoke with Adam when he was at Frightfest and he had the following to say about the film:

“It’s not a found footage movie, it’s not really a mockumentary” says Adam Green. “It started out as a documentary and then it went off the rails but it’s a movie for anyone who is really into monsters. If you wished monsters were real then it’s for you. There are no blood and guts, there are no killings but there may or may not be monsters.”

Arguably, Digging Up the Marrow is Green‘s best film to date. It’s fun, It’s scary and is a must see for any self respecting horror fan. But look no further for spoilers online, just seek out the film and enjoy every minute of it from the safety of your sofa (either on it or behind it).

Extras include: Behind The Scenes, Deleted Scenes.

DIGGING UP THE MARROW will be avialable to take home on DVD on 15th June, 2015.

Something special and unique is coming to DVD this February in the form of James Ward Byrkit‘s mind-bending thriller COHERENCE. The astronomical festival hit that was shown during last years FILM4 FRIGHTFEST and GRIMMFEST, Coherence is one part sci-fi thriller and one part relationship drama which remains immediately unforgettable.

Taking place on the night of an astronomical anomaly, eight friends are enjoying a dinner party. As a comet passes above them they are thrust into a chain of events that will leave them (and the audience) stunned. Insanely complex but utterly compelling, it doesn’t take long for this film to mesmerise audiences with its many puzzles and paradoxes.

Featuring terrific performance from it’s cast including Starring Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling and Nicholas Brendon from TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Coherence is an intelligent thriller which is masterfully directed by Byrkit. We can’t recommend this film enough and urge you to check it out when you get the chance. You can thank us later.

COHERENCE is scheduled for released on DVD on 16th February, 2015 meanwhile why not check out our interview with the director here.

You can pre-order your copy from Amazon here.