‘Finding Your Feet’ a romantic comedy about second chances
The surprisingly poignant “Finding Your Feet” (2018, Sony, PG-13, $20) gives Imelda Staunton her best role since “Vera Drake.”
The actress plays an upper-cruster named Sandra who moves in with her freespirited sister (Celia Imrie) after she discovers her husband has been cheating on her. With help from folks (Timothy Spall, Joanna Lumley) at a community dance class, Sandra discovers a life outside herself.
Heartfelt and hilarious, “Finding Your Feet” does a great job subverting your expectations while making small, recognizable moments of life resonate with emotional power. Extras: none.
Also new to DVD
7 Days In Entebbe (2018, Universal, R, $28): Based on real events, this muddled thriller chronicles what happens after two German revolutionaries (Daniel Bruhl, Rosamund Pike) force a plane of mostly Jewish passengers to land in Uganda in hopes of drawing attention to the Palestinian cause. While Bruhl and Pike work hard to bring depth to their characters, the movie lacks a strong point of view. Worst of all, the finale, which should have been a suspenseful high point, is a disaster thanks to Brazilian helmer Jose Padilha’s decision to intercut the rescue mission with, of all things, a dance performance. Extras: featurettes.
Krystal (2018, Lionsgate, R, $20): Before enjoying his breakthrough with “Love, Simon,” Nick Robinson starred in this uneven screwball comedy about a sheltered Georgia teenager who falls for a single mom (Rosario Dawson), who also happens to be a recovering addict and one-time stripper. Robinson and Dawson enjoy some nice chemistry, but whatever good work they do is continually undermined by director William H. Macy’s penchant for broad, slapstick comedy. Macy, who also co-stars, can’t seem to decide if he’s making a heartfelt love story or a southernfried farce. Extras: none.
Bull Durham (1988, Criterion, R, $30): One of the best baseball movies of all time is about second chances, knuckleballs and “long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last for three days.” Written and directed by the great Ron Shelton (“White Men Can’t Jump”), the comedy stars Susan Sarandon as a groupie who beds one minor league player per season. The candidates are Kevin Costner as an aging catcher and Tim Robbins as up-andcoming pitcher. Filled with smart dialogue, sharp performances and wonderful diamond action, “Bull Durham” seems to get better with each viewing. Extras: featurettes and commentaries.
Don’t Bother to Knock (1952, Twilight Time, unrated, $30): One of Marilyn Monroe’s best dramatic turns graces this little-seen melodrama, which is finally available on Blu-ray. The actress stars as an unhinged young woman fresh out of a mental institution, who finds herself forced to babysit for a young child when she’d rather entertain a dashing pilot (Richard Widmark). Even as she puts the youngster in danger, Monroe manages to be both scary and touchingly sympathetic. While far from perfect, “Don’t Bother to Knock” beautifully probes that gap between desire and fulfillment. Extras: featurette. Smash Palace (1981, Arrow, R, $30): One of the finest films of the 1980s, Roger Donaldson’s masterpiece is part thriller and part “Kramer vs. Kramer”-esque relationship drama about a wife, and mother named Jacqui (Anna Jemison) who’s grown weary of living outside of the salvage yard owned by her husband, Al (Bruno Lawrence). After the couple splits up, the volatile Al begins a scary downward spiral. A portrait of masculinity in crisis, “Smash Palace” does such an expert job drawing you close to its characters that when violence finally erupts, it feels personal and particularly catastrophic. Extras: featurette and commentaries.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954, Warner Archive, G, $20): One of the glories of MGM’s dream factory, this new-to-Blu-ray musical is flush with great songs (lyrics by Johnny Mercer) and robust dance numbers (thank you, Michael Kidd). It’s all about a gaggle of buckskinned brothers (Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn) realizing they need some female companionship on their farm high up in the hills. Enter Jane Powell and a bevy of beauties. There’s a good reason why the dynamic barn-raising sequence is one of the most famous musical numbers in Hollywood history: it still hits the bullseye. Extras: featurettes and an alternative edition of the movie.
Edward II (1991, Film Movement, unrated, $30): Derek Jarman’s masterpiece not only offers a postmodern spin on Christopher Marlowe’s famous play, but it uses costumes, production design and the odd appearance by Annie Lennox to create an alternate universe that’s mesmerizing and dark. The newly crowned King Edward (Steve Waddington) sets the stage for palace intrigue when he hooks up with a hunky rebel (Andrew Tiernan). Soon his wife (Tilda Swinton) is conspiring with Edward’s enemies to plot his downfall. Now on Blu-ray, “Edward II” is both a love story and a powerful look at gay oppression. Extras: featurettes.
Mosaic (2018, HBO, unrated, $30): Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this five-part HBO series examines love, greed and murder in a picturesque Utah resort community. Sharon Stone stars as a children’s book author who winds up dead on New Year’s Eve. The suspects include a number of men (Garrett Hedlund, Frederick Weller, James Ransone) with whom she’s been having both loving and contentious relationships. The series, which started out as an interactive app, never stops springing surprises. Extras: none.