DVD reviews: 'Boyhood,' 'Get On Up' and 'The Guest'

“Boyhood” (2014, R, 165 min. $29.99) This is one movie that hasn't been short on critical acclaim. Director Richard Linklater's film seems to be the frontrunner to win the Oscar for best picture. The praise is justified; “Boyhood” is a terrific drama and a remarkable achievement. Linklater filmed “Boyhood” over 12 years, using the same cast — Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and Lorelei Linklater — all the way through. With that, viewers are treated to a true coming-of-age storyline that follows Mason (Coltrane) and his dealings with divorced parents (Hawke and Arquette) and his mother's next set of questionable relationships. These experiences help shape Mason's maturity, and viewers are able to see this boy become a man. Without a doubt, “Boyhood” in one of the best dramas to come around in years, and it excels with the help of a talented cast, a well-written storyline and a brave approach to filmmaking. Those picking up a standard DVD won't find any extras available. Blu-ray buyers get an interview with Linklater, as well as members of the cast and crew, and a making-of featurette that explores the 12-year project that turned into the best picture of 2014. 3.5 stars

“Get On Up” (2014, PG-13, 139 min., $29.98) If there's a good reason to see “Get On Up,” the biopic about musician James Brown from director Tate Taylor, it's the stunning performance of Chadwick Boseman, who hits all the right notes in his role as the Godfather of Soul. Boseman, who got plenty of accolades for his performance as Jackie Robinson in 2013's “42,” has found his niche, and he's excellent in “Get On Up.” Unfortunately, the feature falls short, providing a toned-down version of the legendary musician that's simply boring. Taylor tries to get the most out of Brown's story with a plot that doesn't follow the usual narrative structure, jumping back and forth between different times in the musician's life. That only lessens the focus on the Godfather, so it's hard to grab a handle on Brown's personality. Along with Boseman, “Get On Up” gets a boost from performances by Brandon Mychal Smith and Nelsan Ellis and some strong musical performances. These positives aren't enough to save “Get On Up,” though. Standard DVD and Blu-ray packages both hold a nice collection of special features, including some strong making-of featurettes. Additional featurettes and deleted scenes are exclusive to Blu-ray sets. 2 stars

“The Guest” (2014, R, 99 min., $29.98) Adam Wingard is a director to remember. The filmmaker follows up on his strong 2013 horror film “You're Next” with “The Guest,” one of the strongest thrillers of 2013. With a strong performance from Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”), this follows a family dealing with the loss of a son and brother who died in the war in the Middle East. One day, the family gets a visit from David (Stevens), a young man who claims he was close friends with the fallen soldier. The family warms to David, even though there's something mysterious about him. When Anna (Maika Monroe), the family's oldest daughter, looks into David she finds confusing picture that unleashes the terror the houseguest is capable of. “The Guest” might be best described as the story of a homicidal Jason Bourne coming to town. The violence here is vast, but the intelligent plot moves at a thrilling pace that should keep viewers locked in. Behind a hypnotizing performance from Stevens, Wingard delivers another winner. Special features available on Blu-ray and standard DVD packages include deleted scenes, director commentary and an interesting interview with Stevens. 3 stars

“No Good Deed” (2014, PG-13, 84 min., $30.99) Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson are the headliners in director Sam Miller's crime thriller about a suburban Atlanta wife and mother who finds herself in a fight for survival when a violent escaped convict breaks into her house to avoid the law. Keeping her family safe is the woman's (Henson) only concern.

“Horns” (2013, R, 120 min., $24.98) Daniel Radcliffe assumes another challenging role in director Alexandre Aja's film about young man named Ig, the lead suspect in the murder of his girlfriend (Juno Temple). One day, Ig awakes with the realization he has horns growing out of his head. With these horns, he also possesses a strong power.

“Dinosaur 13” (2014, NR, 105 min., $19.98) Todd Douglas Miller's documentary follows paleontologist Peter Larson and his team after their discovery of the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found. Larson and his team fight to hold onto their discovery against some very powerful forces.

“The Longest Week” (2014, PG-13, 86 min., $19.98) Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Jenny Slate and Billy Crudup star in director Peter Glanz's comedy drama about a fellow who loses his affluent lifestyle when his wealthy parents go through a divorce. The man finds himself on his buddy's couch and falling for his girlfriend.

“Happy End” (2014, NR, 86 min., $24.95) Romance hits the road in filmmaker Petra Clever's picture about two women (Sinha Gierke and Verena Wustkamp) embarking on an adventure to deliver the ashes of a recently deceased friend to her final resting place. On the road, a blossoming romance unfolds on a trip that wasn't supposed to take place.

“Atlas Shrugged 3” (2014, PG-13, 99 min., $19.98) The final movie in the trilogy based on the popular novel of the same name from Ayn Rand. In this film, written and directed by J. James Manera, the country is falling to pieces as crime continues to rise and the economy is fading fast. There's only one man who can stop it.

“Jungle Master” (2013, PG, 82 min., $14.98) Jane Lynch, David Spade, Jon Lovitz and Christopher Lloyd lend their voices to this animated family adventure about a girl who runs away from home and is transported from the big city to the jungle. The girl finds a group of friends that team up with her to save the rainforest from an evil scientist.

“88” (2015, NR, 88 min., $19.99) Katharine Isabelle, Christopher Lloyd and Jesse McCartney star in director April Mullen's action-packed thriller about a woman who wakes up in a diner with no idea of how she got there. Split between two timelines, the woman embarks on a violent journey in the hopes of gaining revenge for her lover's death.

New on Blu-ray

• “Working Girl” (1988, R, 113 min., $16.99)

TV on DVD

• “The Americans: The Complete Second Season” (four discs, 13 episodes, $39.98)

• “Looking: The Complete First Season” (two discs, eight episodes, $29.98)

• “Girls: The Complete Third Season” (two discs, 12 episodes, $29.98)

• “Black Sails: The Complete First Season” (three discs, eight episodes, $49.98)

• “Glee: The Complete Fifth Season” (six discs, 20 episodes, $39.98)

• “Archer: The Complete Fifth Season” (two discs, 13 episodes, $29.98)