This fascinating, eight-part series uses the Colosseum as the dramatic setting to tell the thrilling story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire — through the lens of the men and women who fought and died there. Unfolding chronologically — from the arena’s astonishing design to its eventual decay — each episode pinpoints a key historical figure, combining dramatic live-action sequences and special effects with interviews from leading historians and scholars for a vivid and revealing look at a pivotal period in world history. – from Lionsgate
When it comes to the Colosseum, there’s something that will wake up any class of high school history students: mock sea battles. If you can’t wake some kids up by talking about flooding an arena for mock sea battles, then you or the kids need serious help. Probably both. Anyway, this History Channel series is here covering the structure from rise to fall over the course of eight episodes. No bonus bits to be found, but you can use it to get students to pay attention, which must be worth something. Grab it from Amazon.
Produced by J.J. Abrams and directed by Matt Reeves (The Batman), CLOVERFIELD debuted in the U.S. on January 18, 2008 and became a smash hit, ultimately earning more than $172 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. The film thrilled critics and audiences alike with its shocking, first-person video account of a horrifying attack on Manhattan by an unknown—and seemingly unstoppable—force. – from Paramount
Cloverfield is fifteen years old! Flippin’ heck! And for those of you kids out there who loved The Batman…yeah, this was Reeves’ big big screen debut. Basically this is a repackage of the 10th Anniversary 4K. Which was nothing to sneeze at, mind you: you have an audio commentary from Reeves, a making-of, an FX featurette, deleted scenes and alternate endings with commentary and more. If you didn’t get it the last time, here it is, come round again. Snag it from Amazon.
A thrilling adaptation of the Broadway musical, the film boasts sensational performances from Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, and more. Filled with electrifying musical numbers, wildly entertaining satire, and plenty of razzle dazzle, CHICAGO remains a must-see cinematic spectacle. – from Paramount
What were we saying just now about something fifteen years old? Because Chicago is twenty years old! One of the best stage-musical-to-film adaptations in recent memory. This is a Limited Edition SteelBook release, but again, it’s had the content carried over from the previous release. Still, though, we’re talking scads of bonus bits. There’s a writer and director commentary, a screenwriting featurette, extended musical performances and rehearsal footage, as well as retrospective featurettes since, yeah, it’s been twenty years. If you already have the bonus content, then it’s really up to the SteelBook junkies of the world whether or not they partake of this limited edition version. If they do, they can find it here.
The powerhouse team of A&E® Network and WWE Studios leaves it all on the mat with BIOGRAPHY®: WWE LEGENDS, VOLUME 3. Each program showcases the awe-inspiring stories behind some of the most memorable WWE superstars, whose come-ups, comebacks, and personal journeys are truly the stuff of legend! Archival footage and compelling interviews reveal the evolution and pop culture impact of WWE giants The Undertaker®, Goldberg™, The Bella Twins®, Lex Luger™, Edge®, Kurt Angle™, Rey Mysterio®, D-Generation X®, and a special finale episode chronicling the making of the iconic, first-ever WrestleMania®. – from Lionsgate
Not sure what else to say about this release, since I think there’s only three of the superstars within that I’ve heard of. But regardless, you do get nine episodes covering the wrestlers and the stories behind them. No bonus bits. Fans of the WWE in general or of the wrestlers in particular might consider purchasing it for the sake of posterity. It can be acquired here.
Jane Birkin and Geraldine Chaplin star as theatre troupe members who are invited by a mysterious playwright/director to perform in a strange mansion. As the rehearsal progresses, secrets are revealed and the line between fiction and reality blurs. – from Kino Lorber
All the releases I have/seen from the Cohen Collection have been worthy. They try to have something extra every chance they can get, is how it seems. In this case, in addition to the film (which clocks in at close to three hours), this Love on the Ground release does have an audio commentary track from Director Emeritus, New York Film Festival & Professor of Film and Media Studies, Columbia University Richard Peña…and that’s one helluva title. Worth sampling before purchasing to gauge the rewatchabiliity factor that goes into you deciding what you want to have on your shelves at home. But if you are going to own it, this is the version. Grabbable here.
