Out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week: Another new take on the creation of everyone's favorite conflicted wall-crawler, plus Wes Bentley mired in martial-arts sci-fi and Kermit experiences jocular hallucinations of past, present, and future.
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The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
A worthy and serious, if a bit prone to narm ("Spider-Man's hurt! We, the common people of New York City, must help him defeat the Lizard!"), addition to the comic-book movie canon that tells a good story well about one of the most intriguing and conflicted of super-heroes, with generous extras on the deluxe set.
Formats: Blu-Ray, 3D Blu-Ray, DVD, UV Digital Copy.
The story: Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner.
Starring: Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man/Peter Parker), Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy), Rhys Ifans (The Lizard/Dr. Curt Connors), Denis Leary (Captain Stacy), Martin Sheen (Uncle Ben), Sally Field (Aunt May), Irrfan Khan (Rajit Ratha), Campbell Scott (Richard Parker), Embeth Davidtz (Mary Parker), Chris Zylka (Flash Thompson), Max Charles (Peter Parker (Age 4)), C. Thomas Howell (Jack's Father), Jake Ryan Keiffer (Jack), Kari Coleman (Helen Stacy), Michael Barra (Store Clerk).
Directed by: Marc Webb.
Features: Audio Commentary: Director Marc Webb and Producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach; 3D 101 with Director Marc Webb (1080p, 3D, 6:22); Iconic Poses and Digital Environments - 3D Image Progression Reel (1080p, 3D, 2:36); Previews: Additional Sony titles; Rite of Passage: The Amazing Spider-Man Reborn (1080p, 1:49:49): The Drawing Board: Development and Direction (13:09), Friends and Enemies: Casting (15:19), Second Skins: Spidey Suit and The Lizard (11:23), Spidey Goes West: Production - Los Angeles (16:37), Safe Haven: Production - Sony Studios (15:27), Bright Tights, Big City: Production - New York (9:32), The Greatest Responsibility - Post Production and Release (28:50) ; Deleted Scenes (1080p, 16:50); Pre-Visualization (1080p, 39:08); The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery (1080p); Image Progression Reels (1080p); Stunt Rehearsals (1080p, 11:52); Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game (1080p, 3:30).
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Hirokin: The Last Samurai (2011)
Fans of martial-arts-laden sci-fi movies, or sci-fi-laden martial arts movies, may enjoy this perfectly passable entry in the lone warrior shows up and protects a bunch of farmers from bad guys genre. It was originally intended for theatrical release, reflective of how the plot from this untried writer-director could have been more.
Formats: DVD.
The story: On a planet where humans must scavenge the post-apocalyptic barren wasteland, Hirokin, a reluctant samurai with a dark past sets off on a mission to fulfill his destiny. Having fought to the death to save his wife and son from the planet's evil dictator, Griffin, and his elite army of warriors, the lone samurai is left for dead in the vast desert. Armed with his samurai blade Hirokin is forced to choose between avenging the murder of his family and fighting for the freedom of his people. As he goes into war he'll discover a shocking revelation about his family leaving revenge running through his veins.
Starring: Wes Bentley, Jessica Szohr, Angus Macfadyen, Laura Ramsey, Julian Sands, Max Martini, Rodney Charles.
Directed by: Alejo Mo-Sun.
Features: Making of Hirokin: The Last Samurai; Closed Caption; Deleted Scenes; Special Effects Featurette; Visual Effects Featurette; Editing Featurette; Trailer Gallery.
- Trailer.
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The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The Muppets have a wide enough oeuvre that while some are fans of their earliest work, "middle period" Muppets from the 90s have a lot defenders and Christmas Carol rides high among them.
Formats: Blu-Ray 20th Anniversary Edition (2 discs).
The story: Miss Piggy and friends play Dickens characters as Scrooge meets the ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet to come.
Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Don Austen, Jessica Fox, Robert Tygner, Steven Mackintosh.
Directed by: Brian Henson.
Features: Muppet Audio Commentary: All new Audio Commentary from the Muppets themselves; Audio Commentary from Brian Henson; Disney Intermission: Press "Pause" and see what happens when the Muppets Show up at your door to sing your Christmas Carols - Muppet Style; Muppet Holiday Sing-Along; Blopper Reel; Frogs, Pigs, and Humbug: A Behind the Scenes Look; Christmas Around the World with Gonzo and Rizzo; Pepe's Profiles Presents: Gonzo, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo.
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