Review: A little conflict is the push they need in this week’s releases (Includes first-hand account) – Digital Journal

A Discovery of Witches (DVD)Brilliant historian Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer) is a witch denying her own heritage. But when she unexpectedly calls up an ancient, bewitched manuscript from Oxfords Bodleian library, she finds herself thrown into the heart of a dangerous mystery and into the path of the enigmatic geneticist and vampire, Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode). Their unlikely alliance to find the book before it falls into the wrong hands and their deepening relationship threatens to violate age-old taboos and shake the fragile peace that exists between the species.This is more of an adult version of Twilight that unfolds in a world in which Anne Rice would likely find herself comfortable. Vampires, witches and demons live secretly amongst humans. Vampires who are sired build familial bonds with their makers, giving them parents who can watch over them forever. The forbidden love at the storys centre is taboo because its across species, though the parallels between them, and Bella and Edward are undeniable. From being hunted by their own kind to him coming to her rescue because he senses her danger to them making a stand within their circles because they cant control who they love, its all quite familiar. But the chemistry between Palmer and Goode makes it worthwhile, and the story is different enough to keep fantasy lovers engaged right until the abrupt season finale.Special features include: featurettes about characters, mythology, and TV magic. (Acorn)The Blob [Collectors Edition] (Blu-ray)A vile, malignant life-form crashes to Earth in a cozy, rural American town called Arborville. Untroubled by conscience or intellect, the Blob does only one thing and it does it well. It eats anything and everything that moves including men, women, and children. It wants to swallow the entire town of Arborville.This is a remake of the 1950s classic, replacing the alien menace with a manmade weapon run amok. The pink, gooey blob is reminiscent of similar childrens toys that introduced slime to playtime. However, when it touches human skin, it clings to it, and expands as it envelopes and consumes its host. As the only witnesses to this sticky menace is a couple of teenagers, the towns so-called bad seed (Kevin Dillon) becomes the prime suspect in all the sudden mysterious deaths. There are some fun chase scenes on his motorcycle, and the standoff between the government and the locals is a reminder that its not only kids who should have a healthy distrust of authority. The conclusion doesnt necessarily make a lot of sense, but its the final scenes that are designed to give audiences chills. Special features include: commentary with director Chuck Russell, special effects artist Tony Gardner and cinematographer Mark Irwin, moderated by filmmaker Joe Lynch; commentary with actress Shawnee Smith; commentary with director Chuck Russell, moderated by film producer Ryan Turek; It Fell From the Sky!, an interview with director Chuck Russell; We Have Work to Do, an interview with actor Jeffrey DeMunn; Minding the Dinner, an interview with actress Candy Clark; They Call Me Mellow Purple, an interview with actor Donovan Leitch Jr.; Try to Scream!, an interview with actor Bill Moseley; Shot Him!, an interview with cinematographer Mark Irwin; The Incredible Melting Man, an interview with special effects artist Tony Gardner; Monster Math, an interview with special effects supervisor Christopher Gilman; Haddonfield to Arborville, an interview with production designer Craig Stearns; The Secret of the Ooze, an interview with mechanical designer Mark Setrakian; I Want that Organism Alive!, an interview with Blob mechanic Peter Abrahamson; Gardners Grue Crew, behind-the-scenes footage of Tony Gardner and his team; still gallery; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)The Devil Rides Out (Blu-ray)The debonair Duc de Richleau (Christopher Lee) has been entrusted with the care of his deceased friends son, Simon Aron (Patrick Mower). The Duc discovers that the young man has been seduced into joining a satanic cult headed by the diabolic Mocata (Charles Gray), who is intent on making Simon one of the Devils disciples. Having rescued Simon from a bloodied ritual, de Richleau is pursued by Mocata, who will stop at nothing to destroy the Duc and his friends, even summoning the Angel of Death himself.This is classic Hammer occult horror that allows for frightening practical effects and eerie illusions. With some luck, Simons friends are versed in black magic and willing to put themselves at risk to save his soul. However, their efforts are not without their consequences and not everyone will survive the confrontation with evil. Of course, Simon is only the rescues focus for a brief time as it eventually switches to a young woman who, of course, needs their help even more. Deaths entrance is certainly one of the films highlights as he bursts into the room, towering over the Duc and his friends who are only protected by a vulnerable circle. This is undoubtedly a Hammer production and one of the better ones.Special features include: commentary by author/film historian Steve Haberman, filmmaker/film historian Constantine Nasr and author/screenwriter Richard Christian Matheson; commentary by actors Christopher Lee and Sarah Lawson; making-of featurette; Satanic Shocks; Folk Horror Goes Haywire; Dennis Wheatley at Hammer; World of Hammer episode HAMMER; still gallery; and theatrical trailer. (Scream Factory)Its a Wonderful Life (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & Digital copy)

Paramount Home Entertainment

Lionsgate Home Entertainment

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Lionsgate Home Entertainment

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Review: A little conflict is the push they need in this week's releases (Includes first-hand account) - Digital Journal

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Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero
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