DVD reviews: 'Get Hard,' 'The Gunman' and 'While We're Young'
“Get Hard” (2015, R, 100 min., $28.98) Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart — two of the best comedic actors working today — combine forces to star in the directorial debut of Etan Cohen, who's known best as a writer for TV and film. The movie has fine performances from its leads, but the writing's generally lousy. Too many times, the picture depends on offensive jokes, and it clouds a storyline with plenty of potential. It's undoubtedly a waste of the talents of Hart and Ferrell, two kings of the genre. Ferrell plays James, a wealthy hedge-fund manager who's engaged to the daughter (Alison Brie) of his boss Martin (Craig T. Nelson). Things are going perfect for James until the feds arrest him at his engagement party. Charged with embezzlement and fraud, James is sentenced to 10 years at San Quentin. Scared of prison, James turns to Darnell (Hart), a black guy who washes his car. James pays Darnell to prepare him for prison. The only problem is Darnell's never done hard time. That will not stop him from trying his best, though. A gag reel is the only extra on standard DVD, but Blu-ray packages are loaded. Special features include deleted scenes, an unrated copy of the film and an incredible collection of featurettes. 2 stars
“The Gunman” (2015, R, 115 min., $29.98) Adapted from Jean-Patrick Manchette's novel “The Prone Gunman,” filmmaker Pierre Morel's “The Gunman” is another addition to the over-the-hill action star genre. This time, it's two-time Academy Award winner Sean Penn. There are a few good action sequences, but it's a routine thriller with a boring star without any swagger. The film also struggles with its identity, bouncing between something like the Bourne franchise and “The Expendables.” Penn plays Terrier a former soldier who worked for a shady corporation in the Congo. As part of his job, he was asked to carry out a high-profile assassination. Eight years later, he's paying for it. To wipe out all links to the assassination, each member of Terrier's team is being rubbed out. Running across the globe, Terrier proves harder to snuff out than the others. The former Special Forces soldier won't go down easy. On standard DVD and Blu-ray, buyers won't find any special features. It's unfortunate, considering the film was shot across a few different countries and featured an impressive cast that included Javier Bardem and Idris Elba. 1 star
“While We're Young” (2014, R, 97 min., $19.98) With movies like “The Squid and the Whale,” “Greenberg” and “Frances Ha” to his credit, director Noah Baumbach has made a name for himself in the world of independent films. With relatable characters, fine performances from Naomi Watts, Ben Stiller, Adam Driver and Pittsburgh native Charles Grodin and a story brimming with honesty, “While We're Young” is his best yet. The personable film stands as one of the best movies to hit theaters in 2015. It follows Cornelia (Watts) and Josh (Stiller), a middle-aged couple without kids dealing with the struggle of friends pulling away for children. When Josh befriends Jamie (Driver) and Darby (Amanda Seyfried), a young couple, it energizes his relationship with Cornelia. Josh and Jamie bond over filmmaking, and the couples grow even closer in hanging out. Eventually, Josh realizes some serious problems with Jamie, and it causes issues in his marriage with Cornelia. Some nice special features can be found inside standard DVD and Blu-ray packages. A six-part documentary explores every aspect of “While We're Young,” including a look at working with the cast and director. 3 stars
“Danny Collins” (2015, R. 106 min., $29.98) Dan Fogelman, who's mostly served as a screenwriter with titles such as “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and “Tangled,” makes his directorial debut with this dramedy about a hard-living rock star deciding to change his life after making a discovery. A superb cast includes Al Pacino, Annette Bening and Jennifer Garner.
“Last Knights” (2015, R, 115 min., $19.98) Clive Owen, Morgan Freeman, Aksel Hennie and Cliff Curtis venture back to the old days of empires and swordplay in an action-packed adventure about a forgotten warrior rising up to challenge a corrupt ruler. The warrior is focused on avenging the death of his master, a man dishonored by his powerful enemy.
“Survivor” (2015, PG-13, 96 min., $19.99) Director James McTeigue's thriller follows a woman working at the American Embassy in London. When several of her co-workers are killed by a terrorist explosion, she tries to find the killer. In the process, she uncovers a plan for another attack in New York. Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan star.
“The Dovekeepers” (2015, NR, 172 min., $39.99) A miniseries that originally premiered on CBS, “The Dovekeepers” is adapted from Alice Hoffman's novel of the same name. Set in ancient Israel, the film follows four women fighting for survival when they are driven from their homes in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. Sam Neill and Cote de Pablo star.
“Soldate Jeannette” (2013, NR, 80 min., $24.95) A favorite on its trip across the festival circuit, the Austrian “Soldate Jeannette” brings viewers into the world of Fanni (Johanna Orsini-Rosenberg), a wealthy woman looking to exit her bourgeois lifestyle. As Fanni breaks free, she finds herself on a livestock farm with an chance to take an incredible journey.
“If There Be Thorns” (2015, NR, 90 min., $14.98) Fresh off a successful debut on Lifetime, the adaptation “If There Be Thorns” is the third installment in V.C. Andrews' wildly popular “Flowers in the Attic” series. The pic follows Christopher and Cathy, looking forward to a new life. Unfortunately, they can't escape their family. Heather Graham leads the cast.
“Frog Kingdom” (2014, PG, 88 min., $19.98) An animated adventure film geared toward kids, “Frog Kingdom” takes viewers inside the life of Princess Froglegs, a beautiful young frog angered by her father promising her hand in marriage to the winner in the upcoming Froglympics. It's the least of her problems, though. An evil serpent is looking to rule the kingdom.
“Marfa Girl” (2012, NR, 105 min., $21.99) Filmmaker Larry Clark's “Marfa Girl” follows a teen named Adam (Adam Mediano) living in a Texas border town. Adam doesn't have much direction in life, but he's in sexual relationships with a number of people living in his town. They include his girlfriend, an older neighbor and a border agent watching over his region.
TV on DVD
• “Gangland Undercover: Season 1” (one disc, six episodes, $19.98)
