NEW ON THE SHELF:
“Ex Machina,” Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac. Thrillingly original sci-fi feature from first-time helmer Alex Garland (writer of “Never Let Me Go” and “Dredd”) sends young programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson, “About Time”) to CEO Nathan’s (Isaac, “Inside Llewyn Davis”) remote research facility as a prize in a company contest. Once there, his enigmatic host tasks him with spending quality time with Ava (Vikander, “Seventh Son”), a stunningly beautiful robot with extremely advanced A.I. Intelligent, entertaining and never predictable, “Ex Machina” is rightfully receiving accolades as quite possibly the best science-fiction offering of the year. Special features include behind-the-scenes footage and a five-part making-of documentary. Rated R. Running time: 1:48. Suggested retail price: $19.98; Blu-ray $24.99
“The Longest Ride,” Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood. The 10th – count ’em! – adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel is this typically formulaic yet undeniably appealing tale of love and loss. It focuses on injured professional bull rider Luke (Eastwood, son of Clint) and college student Sophia (Robertson) and the relationship that develops between them in spite of less than ideal circumstances. A welcome turn from the ever dependable Alan Alda as a widower befriended by Sophia lends some class to the production, making “Ride” potentially palatable for viewers who may traditionally eschew Sparksian efforts such as these. Rated PG-13. Running time: 2:09. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $49.99
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2,” Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez. A belated sequel to the surprise 2009 hit comedy about a schlubby but good-hearted security guard (James) called upon to rise to the occasion when bad guys take over the mall. Part two simply relocates “Blart” to Las Vegas, allowing him to Segway and pratfall around the Wynn Casino while fighting another gaggle of cartoonish villains. Rated PG. Running time: 1:34. Suggested retail price: $30.99; Blu-ray $38.99
“The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” Judi Dench, Maggie Smith. Hurrying to capitalize on the surprise success of its 2012 predecessor, “Second Best” manages to handily recapture the magic and charm of the original by making sure not to fix what wasn’t broken in the first place. It retains the veteran cast and beautiful Indian locales for another breezy and funny couple of hours. Rated PG. Running time: 2:03. Suggested retail price: $29.98; Blu-ray $39.99
VIDEOPORT PICKS:
“Heaven Adores You,” documentary. Extensive, Kickstarter-funded examination of the life and work of the late, beloved songwriter Elliot Smith, who left behind a wealth of gorgeously heartbreaking songs and recordings before taking his own life at the age of 34 in 2003. Filmmaker Nickolas Dylan Rossi succeeds in crafting a gift for fans and a thorough primer for newcomers, assembling interviews and archival footage to paint a lovely portrait of an undisputed talent and tortured artist. Not rated. Running time: 1:44. Suggested retail price: $14.98; Blu-ray $19.98
“It Follows,” Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist. Innovative and truly squirm-inducing, writer-director David Robert Mitchell’s (“The Myth of the American Sleepover”) second feature is a small masterpiece of atmospheric dread. The film follows teen Jay (Monroe, “The Guest”), whose sexual encounter with the charming but mysterious Hugh (Jake Weary, “Zombeavers”) results in her inheriting a curse of sorts, and she is soon besieged by terrifying visions of troubled, otherworldly beings. Budding sexuality and horror flicks have always been oddly intertwined, but “It Follows” takes it to a whole new level, with the added bonus of skill and smarts. Rated R. Running time: 1:40. Suggested retail price: $26.98; Blu-ray $29.99
NEW TO BLU-RAY:
“The Black Stallion,” Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney. Acclaimed, gorgeously shot 1979 adaptation of Walter Farley’s classic children’s novel wherein a shipwrecked boy (Reno, “Amazing Stories”) is rescued by a seemingly untamable Arabian horse. It’s widely renowned for his breathtaking cinematography, and Criterion’s remastering truly shows what the Blu-Ray technology is capable of with this particular release. Rated G. Running time: 1:57. Suggested retail price: $39.95
“Life Stinks,” Mel Brooks, Lesley Ann Warren. A favorite with neither critics nor audiences at the time of its release, this 1991 farce from Brooks has since won over its fair share of fans with its familiarly funny fable of a multibillionaire (Brooks himself) forced to live on the streets amongst criminals and vagrants. His plight is the result of a hastily accepted bet, a development that forces the exec to reevaluate his entire existence. Comforting schtick from one of the greats. Rated PG-13. Running time: 1:32. Suggested retail price: $29.95
– Courtesy of Videoport
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