HIGH DEF UNIVERSE

Reviewed by Jami Ferguson

When aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth using games like PAC-MAN, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede and Space Invaders as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, ’80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler) to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Based on the short film by Patrick Jean and screen story by Tim Herlihy with a screenplay by Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling, PIXELS is directed by Chris Columbus.

Marvel’s Ant-Man releasing on Blu-ray December 8th marks the end of Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Two. Fans can now celebrate with this action-packed 13-disc collector’s set. The limited-edition, 13-Disc Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Two Collection invites you to hold the greatest power in the cosmos in your grasp – an orb containing one of the legendary Infinity Stones! Plus Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and Digital Copies of all Phase 2 films, in collectible packaging designed by artist Matt Ferguson. This set overflows with stunning Marvel memorabilia, including a gold-foiled page from the book of Dark Elves, an ancient drawing from the Morag vault, Avengers and S.T.R.I.K.E. uniform patches, a replica of the Tony Stark tattoo from Iron Man 3 and much more!

Reviewed by Sean Ferguson

Climb aboard for a magical carpet ride with nonstop laughs, action-packed adventure and Academy Award–winning music that will make your heart soar (1992: Best Music, Original Song, “A Whole New World,” Original Score). Now for the first time ever, a whole new world of Disney’s Aladdin is revealed in a whole new way on Blu-ray and Digital HD—with never-before-seen bonus! With the help of a hysterically funny, shape-shifting, 10,000-year-old Genie, street-smart commoner Aladdin and clever, confident Princess Jasmine join forces against the evil sorcerer Jafar to put an end to his plans to take over the kingdom!

Reviewed by Jami Ferguson

Oscar nominee Sir Ian McKellen joins fellow Academy Award nominee Laura Linney in the mysterious and intriguing Mr. Holmes, arriving on Digital HD October 27 and Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital), and On Demand November 10 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Miramax. Based on Mitch Cullin's novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind," written for the screen by Jeffrey Hatcher (The Duchess), and directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon (Best Adapted Screenplay, Gods and Monsters, 1998), Mr. Holmes finds a retired Sherlock returning to close the book on the one mystery he could never solve. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2015 Sydney Film Festival and released theatrically in July by Miramax and Roadside Attractions, the film is Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh. Click on the link below to try to win one of two copies from High Def Universe!

Leading and award-winning developer and publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games and HBO Global Licensing today announced that the premiere episode of Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series is now free starting this week on consoles and mobile devices. Telltale also announced the release dates for the upcoming season finale episode, 'The Ice Dragon,' which will debut at the same time as the full season's retail disc release on consoles and PC beginning November 17th. 

When Max (Taissa Farmiga) and her friends reluctantly attend an anniversary screening of “Camp Bloodbath”, the infamous ‘80s horror film that starred Max’s late mother (Malin Akerman), they are mysteriously sucked into the silver screen. They soon realize they are trapped inside the cult classic movie and must team up with the fictional and ill-fated camp counselors, including Max’s mom as the scream queen, to battle the film’s machete-wielding killer. With the body count rising in scene after iconic scene, who will be the final girls left standing and live to escape this film? THE FINAL GIRLS is a genre-blending horror comedy also starring Adam DeVine, Thomas Middleditch, Alia Shawkat with Alexander Ludwig and Nina Dobrev.

The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces the newest member of the Avengers: Marvel’s Ant-Man. Armed with the amazing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang joins forces with his new mentor Dr. Hank Pym to protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from ruthless villains! With humanity’s fate in the balance, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a daring heist against insurmountable odds. Filled with humor, awesome special effects and exclusive bonus features, this action-packed adventure takes you to new levels of pulse-pounding excitement!

Reviewed by Allie Schembra

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron (Best Actress, Monster, 2003) stars in Dark Places, arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD (plus Digital) October 6 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Dark Places delves into the tragic life of a woman who survived the brutal killing of her family as a child and is forced to confront the events of that day to find out the truth. Libby Day (Charlize Theron) was only seven years old when her mother and two sisters were murdered and her brother Ben (Tye Sheridan, Joe) was jailed for the crime. Now, twenty-five years later, Libby discovers shocking evidence that Ben may be innocent—and the real killer is still at large. Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road), Chloë Grace Moretz (If I Stay), Sterling Jerins (World War Z), Corey Stoll (Ant-Man) and Christina Hendricks (TV’s “Mad Men”) costar in this ingeniously plotted thriller based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl).

Nothing is as it seems as the second exhilarating season of the witty, addictive series begins! After Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) risks his life to rescue Police Lt. Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie) from Purgatory, the two face even greater danger as sinister forces in Sleepy Hollow gain momentum. With Katrina held captive by the Headless Horseman, and Frank Irving mysteriously back from the dead, Ichabod and Abbie must rely on instinct to know who to trust in their quest to permanently vanquish Moloch – and stop the apocalypse. Help arrives from a completely unexpected source, and the season ends with a shocking climax in this well-crafted show with plot twists, hair-raising chills and a truly unique take on American history!

Reviewed by Jami Ferguson

Set in Miami, Jane The Virgin follows the surprising and unforeseen events that take place in the life of Jane Villanueva. Jane (Rodriguez) is a 23 year old hard-working, religious Latina woman, whose family tradition and vow to save her virginity until marriage to a long time boyfriend and detective, is shattered when her doctor mistakenly artificially inseminates her during a checkup. And to make matters worse, the biological donor is a married man, a former playboy, and cancer survivor who is not only the new owner of the hotel where Jane works, but was also her former teenage crush.

The truth is out there…and now it can be found in its entirety when Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment exposes the complete world of “The X-Files” on Blu-ray for the first time – just ahead of the event series premiere Sunday, January 24, 2016. “THE X-FILES” THE COLLECTOR’S SET – featuring a slot for the upcoming six-episode event series – releases on December 8, giving fans the chance to own a piece of television history and one of the year’s must-have giftset collections. Fans can also purchase each season individually on Blu-ray on December 8.

Reviewed by Allie Schembra

Go back to the beginning… if you dare… in this chilling prequel that takes place before the unforgettable haunting of the Lambert family. Paranormal investigators Tucker and Specs team up with the psychic Elise to help Quinn, a teenage girl who believes that her late mother is trying to make contact. At first, Elise’s horrific past makes her reluctant to use her ability, but when Quinn’s desperate father begs for assistance, she agrees to venture into The Further. There, she finds a ruthless supernatural entity with a voracious craving for the souls of the living. It’s the darkest chapter yet in this spine-tingling portrayal of evil unleashed. Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, Insidious: Chapter 3 was produced by James Wan (Insidious Franchise, The Conjuring, Furious 7), Jason Blum (Whiplash, The Purge) for Blumhouse Productions and Oren Peli (Paranormal Activity).

Reviewed by Jami Ferguson

From Robert Kirkman, the creator of “The Walking Dead,” comes the psychological thriller Air, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead,” The Boondock Saints) and two-time Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou (Best Supporting Actor: In America, 2003; Blood Diamond, 2006) star as two engineers tasked with guarding the last vestiges of mankind as they struggle to preserve their own sanity and lives. Air also stars Sandrine Holt (Terminator Genisys).

Travel through time this holiday season with two new gift sets from BBC Home Entertainment that the whole family will can enjoy together. Whovians can follow the Doctor on a holiday adventure through all of the modern era Christmas specials with Doctor Who: The Christmas Specials Gift Set, available on DVD and Blu-ray on November 24, 2015. Dinosaur enthusiasts won’t need a TARDIS to travel back to the prehistoric era to discover some of history’s coolest creatures with three feature films in Limited Edition Dinosaurs DVD Gift Set available on November 17, 2015.

Reviewed by Sean Ferguson

Audiences will be mesmerized by the provocative thriller Z for Zachariah, arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital), and on Digital HD October 20 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Delivering stunningly captivating performances, Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (Best Actor, 12 Years a Slave, 2013), Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street), and Chris Pine (Star Trek franchise) star in this post-apocalyptic tale set in the wake of a disaster that wipes out most of civilization which pits the world’s last three survivors against one another. Enter to win one of two copies of this film by clicking the link below!

In season five of Shameless, the Gallaghers are feeling the heat! In the swelter of another Chicago summer, Fiona (Rossum) juggles a crush on her new boss (Dermot Mulroney) with a new husband (Steve Kazee) and the return of her old boyfriend (Justin Chatwin)! Frank (Macy) balances his brand new liver against that old healthy appetite for liquor, drugs and trouble. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) heads home from college and struggles to hang with his old South Side friends. Debbie (Emma Kenney) has her first real boyfriend, Ian’s (Cameron Monaghan) dealing with real health issues, and Carl’s (Ethan Cutkosky) just dealing. Personal and urban renewal runs rampant as organic coffee shops and yoga studios invade the hood, and the Gallaghers stumble toward finding out who they really are and who to truly love.