‘Last Flag Flying’ takes on tough topics

Something of a sequel to “The Last Detail, ” Richard Linklater’s “Last Flag Flying” (2017, Lionsgate, R, $25) is a poignant if slightly strained dramedy about a Vietnam Vet (Steve Carell) who tracks down two Marine buddies (Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne) to help him bury his son who was killed in Iraq.

It’s a talky movie but the subjects covered – aging, faith, mortality – are discussed with surprising insight and candor. Linklater also uses the characters, who are still haunted by Vietnam, to illustrate how the past is never past.

At its best, “Last Flag” is quietly heartbreaking. Extras: outtakes, deleted scenes and featurettes.

Also New to DVD

Geostorm (2017, Warner,

PG-13, $28): Director Dean Devlin, who helped revive disaster movies with “Independence Day,” unleashes a silly but watchable actioner about two brothers (Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess) trying to save the world from extreme weather. The plot revolves around a mammoth, weather-controlling satellite system being hijacked by baddies. While Butler and Sturgess try to prevent the dreaded geostorm, there’s dozens of deadly weather events all over the world, with Rio getting frozen, Hong Kong boiling up and Orlando suffering from a really bad thunderstorm. It’s outrageous but never boring. Extras: featurette.

9⁄11 (2017, Fox, R, $30):

Through the years, Charlie Sheen has spouted plenty of 9⁄11 conspiracy theories but this movie is free of that nonsense. It is, in fact, a fairly gripping, straightahead thriller that honors the first responders and survivors who were plunged into a hellish ordeal when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers. Sheen stars as a billionaire banker who is trapped in an elevator along with his wife (Gina Gershon), a bike messenger (Wood Harris), a janitor (Luis Guzman) and a young Russian woman (Olga Fonda). As a building supervisor who refuses to leave her post, Whoopi Goldberg works wonders with an underwritten role. Extras: none.

Gangster Land (2017, Cinedigm, unrated, $28):

A boxer enlisted to work for the Italian mob in 1920s Chicago, Jack McGurn (Sean Farris) has never received as many cinematic portrayals as fellow thugs Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel. But, as this low-budget drama makes clear, his story is rather fascinating, particularly his role in the Valentine’s Day Massacre. While far from the heights of “The Untouchables” or even “Boardwalk Empire,” this crime thriller is an effective slice of gangster history with diverting supporting turns by Jason Patric, Peter Facinelli and Jamie-Lynn Signer. Extras: none.

Hangover Square (1945, Kino, unrated, $20):

After working together on “The Lodger,” director John Brahm and actor Laird Cregar reteamed for this equally spellbinding gothic thriller. The action revolves around an amnesiac composer (Cregar) who is already being investigated by a Scotland Yard detective (George Sanders) when he takes up with a gold-digging pub singer (Linda Darnell.) Aided by ace cinematographer Joseph LaShelle (“Laura”), Brahm keeps you on edge of your seat as Cregar slips through the foggy streets, trying to keep his murderous impulses in check. Extras: featurettes and commentaries.

The L-Shaped Room (1962, Twilight Time,

unrated, $30): Pregnant and alone, a young woman named Jane (Leslie Caron) takes a room in a dingy London rooming house to access her situation. She promptly meets a collection of eccentrics including a failed writer (Tom Bell), a retired vaudevillian (Cicely Courtneidge) and a gay jazzman (Brock Peters). A slice-of-life drama beautifully brought to life by Bryan Forbes, “The LShaped Room” is in love with all of its characters, flawed though they might be. But it is Caron’s Jane who emerges as the most fascinating figure, a woman who discovers her own strength during the toughest of times. Extras: commentaries.

D.O.A. - A Rite of Passage - Special Collector’s Edition (1981, MVD,

unrated, $40): For the initial release in their Rewind Collection series, the folks at the Pottstown-based MVD have unveiled the long-unavailable documentary about the origins of punk rock. The focus of the fascinating film is the Sex Pistols’ ill-fated mini-tour of the United States but director Lech Kowalski also interviews the blue-collar kids in the U.K. who helped fuel the punk scene. In addition to jaw-dropping footage of the Pistols in action, there’s also the infamous interview in bed with a heroin-addled Sid Vicious and his gal pal Nancy Spungen. Extras: making-of doc.

Victoria - The Complete Second Season (2017,

PBS, unrated, $40): During the sophomore year of the acclaimed PBS series, Jenna Coleman returns to the role of Queen Victoria, a nineteenth century heroine who balances palace duties with motherhood. This season, the monarch is mighty peeved that her husband (Tom Hughes) and other male authority figures have been keeping her out of the loop. There’s fascinating supporting characters too, including those played with panache by Rufus Sewell and Diana Rigg. Extras: featurette.

Steven Universe - The Complete First Season (2013, Warner, unrated,

$25): Available for the first time on DVD, here’s all 52 episodes of the initial season of the Cartoon Network hit about a half-human, half alien boy named Steven who, along with his fellow Crystal Gems, is helping protect the earth from evil. You don’t have to be a sci-fi fan to appreciate Steven’s mission to save the world, navigate his emerging powers and nurture his friendship with bestie Connie. Extras: featurettes, commentaries and live performances.

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