What’s New On DVD?





It’s time to sit back, break out the popcorn and enjoy the mid-summer lineup of new DVD releases.

“42” Combo Pack DVD+Bluray+ Ultraviolet (Warner Bros.) The box-office hit stars Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who in 1946 takes a stand against major league baseball’s color line by signing African American Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman).

Robinson struggles against his nature to endure racism from all sides, letting his talent on the field silence his critics and change the game forever. Special features include: Stepping into History; Full-Contact Baseball; The Legacy of Number 42.

“Blood and Sand” Blu-ray (Fox) In this 1941 classic, Tyrone Power stars as Juan Gallardo, an illiterate peasant who rises to fame and fortune meteorically in the bullfight arena only to sow the seeds of his own fall. Returning home after making good on his promise to become a top matador, he marries his childhood sweetheart, but Gallardo is about to learn a greater lesson outside the ring when he falls prey to a beautiful seductress (Rita Hayworth).

Director Rouben Mamoulian based many of his set designs and color schemes on the works of master Spanish painters like Velasquez, El Greco and Goya. The brilliant production efforts earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction- Interior Decoration, Color.

“Bullet to the Head” Combo Pack DVD+Blu-ray+Ultraviolet (Warner Bros.) Based on a graphic novel by Alexis Nolent and in the capable hands of veteran action director Walter Hill (“48 Hours,” “Red Heat”), the plot follows a weary New Orleans hit man (Sylvester Stallone) on the run after an assignment goes bad. He enters into an unlikely alliance with by-the-book detective Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang) to bring down the ruthless killer of their respective partners.

“ Paul Newman— Classic Legends Film Collection” (Warner Bros.) Part of a Turner Classic

Movies series of releases on DVD, this package offers four fine films from Newman’s career: “The Mackintosh Man” (1975), “ Cool Hand Luke” ( 1967), “Harper” (1965) and “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (1956). The accomplished actor portrays a British spy, a nonconforming con, a private eye and a long-road-toglory boxer.

“Secrets of War: The Complete Series” (Mill Creek) Beyond the bloodshed and the camouflage lie some of the secrets that changed history, and this 65-episode series, narrated by Oscar-winner Charlton Heston, brings to life the stories behind the stories behind the stories.

From profiles of the top spymasters of the Third Reich to Saddam Hussein’s corrupt tools of deception, this program uses rare archival footage, formerly classified documents and interviews with experts and eyewitnesses.

“CSI: NY Final Season” (CBS/Paramount) Still reeling from a shooting incident that nearly took his life, lead detective Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) is back on the streets attempting to solve crimes with his second-incommand, Detective Jo Danville (Sela Ward). An arsonist with a personal grudge and a twisted murderer who patterns his crimes after a popular board game are some of the cases in this 17-episode, five-disc set. Extras include a gag reel and deleted scenes.

“Adventures with Purpose” (Topics Entertainment) From the popular and award-winning television program, host Richard Bangs helps young families and seasoned travelers alike learn and explore. Find out about each destination’s culture and history and discover how the past affects tourism today.

Itineraries include: Norway: a quest for the meaning of the modern-day Viking spirit; Hong Kong: the unique forces that drive the city to greatness, and Greece: the relevance today of the great gods of Olympus.

“Europe 2013-2014” (Rick Steves) The popular tour guide’s all-new two-DVD set takes you through the best of Europe’s top cities: Venice, Florence, Rome, Paris and London, with new angles on the popular sites as well as some back-street gems. With a running time of 5½ hours, all shows are widescreen, closed captioned, NTSC format and all region compatible.

“ Globetrekker: United States of America” ( Topics Entertainment) Still deciding on your summer vacation? This fourdisc, 10-hour package offers profiles of unique and mainstream places in our own backyard. Not only are cities like Chicago and Boston and national parks like Joshua Tree and the Grand Canyon covered, viewers will also explore the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the Florida Keys, Alaska and Hawaii, among many other locales.

Film and television author Randy O. Williams reviews the latest movies, television shows, documentaries and music programs now available for purchase online and at retail stores.



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