DVD reviews: 'John Wick,' 'Dear White People' and 'Starred Up'
“John Wick” (2014, R, 101 min., $29.95) The action movie “John Wick” is a gritty picture that puts Keanu Reeves in the title role, a legendary hitman who's been out of the game for over five years. When he has a violent run-in with a mobster's son, he's forced back to his old ways in search of revenge. The mobster pulls all of his goons to protect his son, because it'll take an army to stop Wick, who's focus is at an all-time high. While not his best performance, Reeves delivers as the ultra-violent Wick. He gets help in supporting roles from Michael Nyqvist, Adrianne Palicki and Willem Dafoe. This film is pretty standard in its plot as far as violent action movies go, but it's boosted above the competition when the bullets start flying. Filmmaker Chad Stahelski gives genre fans the brilliant mayhem they crave, as Wick relentlessly tracks his target through New York City. Standard DVD and Blu-ray packages are loaded with special features. A serious number of featurettes are available, most of which take a deeper look into the Wick character. Commentary is exclusive to Blu-ray. 2.5 stars
“Dear White People” (2014, R, 109 min., $19.98) Remember the name Justin Simien. The director's feature-length debut arrived in 2014, and it attracted plenty of positive attention. Deservedly so, Simien's film is wholly original and explores a tough subject in race relations. The dramedy is set on a fictional Ivy League school where the storyline follows a handful of black students trying to find their way on a campus that's mostly white. As some of them begin breaking into important power positions at the high-brow school, the establishment begins to feel threatened. Sam (Tessa Thompson) is especially adept at stirring the pot. This is a courageous movie that not afraid to ask the tougher questions regarding race. It handles its subject matter intelligently, using humor and serious approaches when necessary. The pic also gets strong performances from a young cast that includes Thompson, Marque Richardson, Kyle Gallner, Teyonah Parris and Tyler James Williams. Blu-ray and standard DVD packages carry a healthy number of special features, including a making-of featurette, deleted scenes and some outtakes. Commentary from the cast and crew is exclusive to Blu-ray. 3 stars
“Starred Up” (2013, NR, 106 min., $14.93) Jack O'Connell delivers an electrifying performance in this British prison drama, a dynamic film from Scottish director David Mackenzie. The realistic film is a remarkable step forward in the genre, as it provides a tough look inside the prison system. The title refers to when a young criminal moves from a juvenile institution to an adult prison. Things get tough when Eric (O'Connell), a dangerous 19-year-old with aggression problems, realizes his father, Neville (Ben Mendelsohn), is in the same prison. A young therapist (Rupert Friend) attempts to put Eric on the straight path, but meddling by his father and a violent streak keep getting in the way. O'Connell is terrific, and Mendelsohn and Friend provide spark in supporting roles. These performances, along with a hard-hitting screenplay from Jonathan Asser, make “Starred Up” one of the best dramas of 2014. The film appears to only be available on standard DVD, and it comes with one extra. A good making-of featurette, which includes interviews with the cast and crew, is worth a watch. 3.5 stars
“The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” (2014, R, 123 min., $29.98) Ned Benson wrote and directed this romantic drama that gives the female and male perspective in a difficult relationship between Conor and Eleanor. They're attempting to put the magic back in their relationship after a tragedy. Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Viola Davis star.
“Dracula Untold” (2014, PG-13, 92 min., $29.98) Most Dracula films deal with the head vampire's blood-sucking days, while director Gary Shore's picture is more of an origin story. Starring Dominic Cooper, Luke Evans and Sarah Gadon, the picture tells the tale of a young prince giving up his soul to a supernatural ally to protect his country from the Turks.
“The Overnighters” (2014, PG-13, 102 min., $24.99) One of the more crucially acclaimed documentaries of 2014, director Jesse Moss' film about a pastor from North Dakota who starts a program to help migrant workers arriving in his area for jobs in the gas industry. The pastor's program runs into resistance, and he must decide is he wants to continue.
“Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic” (2013, R, 83 min., $26.98) One of the most celebrated comics of all time is the focus of this documentary from Marina Zenovich. Comedians like Dave Chapelle, Mike Epps, Damon Wayans, George Lopez and Paul Mooney weigh in on Pryor, an influential and controversial force who inspired plenty of comics.
“The Best of Me” (2014, PG-13, 118 min., $29.98) Filmmaker Michael Hoffman's romantic drama, adapted from Nicholas Sparks' 2011 novel of the same name, follows a man and a woman from a small town who are reunited when they return for a funeral. Hoffman's film carries a strong cast, including James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan and Clarke Peters.
“Ouija” (2014, PG-13, 89 min., $29.98) Olivia Cooke and Shelley Hennig star in this supernatural thriller about a girl who uses a Ouija board to contact her recently deceased best friend. When Laine finds out the mystery of her friend's death from the Ouija board, she comes in contact with a mysterious spirit that turns its sinister attention toward her.
“Hector and the Search for Happiness” (2014, R, 114 min., $29.99) Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike and Jean Reno star in filmmaker Peter Chesholm's dramedy about a psychiatrist, sick of his boring life, heading out to experience the world and find out the secret behind true happiness. His journey takes him across the globe, as he attempts to find answers.
“ABCs of Death 2” (2014, NR, 122 min., $26.98) Following in the footsteps of the 2012 horror anthology, “ABCs of Death 2” features segments from almost 30 directors who specialize in the genre. Each filmmaker is assigned a letter of the alphabet. Included in the mix of directors are Aharon Keshales, Rodney Asher, Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo.
“Starry Eyes” (2014, NR, 98 min., $24.98) A struggling actress looking for her big break in Hollywood gets by working meaningless jobs and going to an endless number of casting calls. She finally lands a lead role in a movie, but it comes with some weird conditions that will transform her mentally and physically. Alex Essoe, Noah Segan and Pat Healy star.
“Exists” (2013, R, 81 min., $19.98) Dora Madison Burge, Samuel Davis and Roger Edwards star in this horror film about five friends looking for a vacation getaway in the Texas Big Thicket. As the friends head out for their trip, a bad accident on a desolate road halts the trip. Things get worse, when a mysterious force arrives on the scene looking for revenge.
New on Blu-ray
• “The Aviators” (2008, NR, 73 min., $14.93)
TV on DVD
• “The Wonder Years: The Complete Second Season” (four discs, 17 episodes, $39.95)
