DVD reviews: 'Foxcatcher,' 'The Humbling' and 'The Captive'
“Foxcatcher” (2014, R, 129 min., $30.99) Filmmaker Bennett Miller has made a career out of spotlighting unique individuals. He's found success with Truman Capote and Billy Beane. His latest is a little darker, a drama about eccentric multi-millionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell) and his attempt to put together a successful wrestling team. Du Pont recruits Olympic gold medalist Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and, eventually, Mark's brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) to train at his state-of-the-art facility. Initially, the arrangement works well, but Du Pont's chaotic personality eventually causes a rift. The film — shot in and around Western Pennsylvania — is based on a true story, and Miller takes his time to tell it. That leads to some slow moments, but it's not a real setback thanks to strong performances from Carell, Ruffalo and Tatum. Carell is particularly good as Du Pont. There aren't a lot of special features. A few deleted scenes and a good making-of featurette are available on Blu-ray and standard DVD. The featurette is worth checking out, as it delves deep into the film's production. 3 stars
“The Humbling” (2014, R, 112 min., $19.99) Most might say the best days of Al Pacino and director Barry Levinson are behind them. But in “The Humbling,” those thoughts are proven to be premature. Pacino turns in one of his finest performances in years in a Levinson-directed drama adapted from a 2009 Philip Roth novel. The film takes the viewer inside the life of Simon (Pacino), a washed-up actor dealing with bouts of dementia. After he tries to take his life, Simon is institutionalized for a short time. He thinks he's getting back on track upon arriving home, but soon becomes infatuated with a lesbian (Greta Gerwig), driving him deeper into dementia. A pretty good making-of featurette looks to be the only special feature on standard DVD and Blu-ray. The featurette includes interviews with cast and crew and a deeper look at the production of the picture. 2.5 stars
“The Captive” (2014, R, 112 min., $19.98) Atom Egoyan is a good filmmaker, but his most recent picture isn't his best. It does its best to explore a dark and relevant topic, but misses with a storyline that takes a series of misfires, best described as wild leaps. Sadly, it detracts from strong performances by Ryan Reynolds and Mireille Enos, and striking cinematography. When the young daughter of Tina (Enos) and Matthew (Reynolds) is snatched, it leads to the end of their relationship and heavy depression. Eight years later, an investigative team finds evidence the girl may still be alive. The cops uncover the information as they're closing in on a group of child molesters exchanging information over the Internet. Egoyan deserves credit for taking on a difficult subject, but the film heads off into too many unbelievable directions. A nice collection of special features are available on standard DVD and Blu-ray. A decent alternate ending and a few deleted scenes are available, along with an Egoyan commentary. A making-of featurette, with cast and crew interviews, is also available. 1.5 stars
“Let's Kill Ward's Wife” (2014, NR, 82 min., $24.98) Patrick Wilson, Nicolette Sheridan and Donald Faison star in Scott Foley's dark comedy about a woman, disliked by everyone, even her husband, who dies in a fortuitous accident. Now, her husband and his buddies must find a way to dispose of the body.
“To Write Love on Her Arms” (2012, PG-13, 118 min., $26.99) Based on a true story, director Nathan Frankowski's picture details the early days of a organization set up to help people battling depression and drug addiction.
“Innocence” (2014, PG-13, 96 min., $14.93) Based on Jane Mendelsohn's popular young adult novel of the same name, the film follows a girl who moves to Manhattan with her father after the death of her mother. She is enrolled in an exclusive prep school where a series of mysterious events unfold around her.
“Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast” (2014, G, 76 min., $29.99) With voices provided by Rosario Dawson, Ginnifer Goodwin and Anjelica Huston, director Steve Loter's animated adventure follows Tinker Bell and her friend Fawn, as they come in contact with a mysterious beast.
“Drumline: A New Beat” (2014, NR, 105 min., $29.98) This sequel to the 2002 original originally ran on VH1. A talented musician (Alexandra Shipp), from a wealthy background, decides to ignore her parents and follow her dreams with the Atlanta A&T drumline.
“Watchers of the Sky” (2014, NR, 120 min., $29.95) Inspired by Samantha Power's Pulitzer Prize-winning book “A Problem from Hell,” director Edet Belzberg's documentary explores genocide and Raphael Lemkin, the man who coined the term.
“Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer's Curse” (2015, PG-13, 97 min., $29.98) The third film of the franchise follows Gareth, a knight on a journey to find a fallen comet. Gareth believes the comet is filled with gold. On his trip, he comes across a dragon, and the two become friends.
TV on DVD
• “Da Vinci's Demons: The Complete Second Season” (three discs, 10 episodes, $44.98)
• “Transporter: The Complete First Series” (four discs, 12 episodes, $29.98)
Miscellaneous
• “The Beginner's Bible” (2015, NR, 90 min., $9.95)
