‘An Inconvenient Sequel’ makes a strong point
You want to see something really scary this Halloween? Check out “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power” (2017, Paramount, PG, $16), Al Gore’s sequel to his Oscar-winning climate change doc “An Inconvenient Truth.”
The movie delivers terrifying images not only of glaciers melting but of extreme weather events worsened by rising ocean temps. Gore makes a strong case for renewable energy including solar and wind, and points out the ways that the politicians subsidized by the fossil fuel industry continually undercut the public good. It all culminates in a stirring speech from Gore about the importance of persisting in the wake of Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Extras: featurettes.
Also New To DVD
Personal Shopper (2017, Criterion, unrated, $30): Following their collaboration on the lovely “Clouds of Sils Maria,” director Olivier Assayas and actress Kristen Stewart reteam for a supernatural thriller that unfolds with little impact. Stewart stars as a socialite’s assistant who is living and working in Paris in hopes of summoning the spirit of her recently deceased twin brother. Despite the fact that there’s a murder and appearances by a ghost, the movie is vague and anti-dramatic. Stewart does manage to offer up a moving portrait of a woman overwhelmed with grief but the movie that exists around her is largely unconvincing. Extras: featurettes. The Man Who Saw Too Much (2015, FilmRise, unrated, $20): Outside of Mexico, crime photographer Enrique Metinides is not a well-known figure but, as this fascinating doc makes clear, the man knew how to aim a camera. Beginning when he was only nine years old, Metinides was a regular in the morgue, snapping shots of murder and accident victims. He soon became a persistent figure at crime scenes, fires and plane crashes, preserving human misery with startling immediacy. This film not only showcases Metinides but also gives viewers a crash course in what it means to be a crime photographer in Mexico today. Extras: none. The Old Dark House (1932, Cohen, unrated, $20): Newly restored for its Blu-ray bow, this superb chiller from “Frankenstein” director James Whale begins with a small group of stranded travelers (Melvyn Douglas, Gloria Stuart, Charles Laughton) seeking refuge in a creepy mansion overseen by an eccentric family and their hulking, disfigured butler (Boris Karloff). Not only is the movie totally unpredictable, which makes for exciting viewing, but it is also shot through with weird, dark humor. Extras: commentaries and featurettes. Love With The Proper Stranger (1963, Kino, unrated, $20): In one of her finest performances, Natalie Wood stars as a shopgirl who reconnects with a summer lover (Steve McQueen) after she becomes pregnant. Director Robert Mulligan doesn’t shy away from presenting the horrors of back alley abortions but it’s his stunning use of New York City locations as well as his knack for making us care about Wood and McQueen that really impresses. Now on Blu-ray, “Love” stumbles with its portrayal of Wood’s smothering family but, for the most part, it’s raw and arresting in all the right ways. Extras: commentary.
Spirited Away (2001, Shout Factory, PG, $30): Courtesy of Shout Factory’s GKIDS label comes this enchanting animated adventure, a Best Animated Feature winner at the Oscars and a movie that’s widely acclaimed as Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s best. Now available in a nifty Blu-ray and DVD package, “Spirited Away” follows the adventures of an everyday youngster named Chihiro who, on her way to her new home, is whisked away to a world of fantastic sprits and demons, including the evil Yubaba. Using her smarts and good sense, she must find a way to survive, save her parents and return to her normal world. Essential viewing. Extras: featurettes. A Fish Called Wanda (1988, Arrow, R, $40): Looking better than ever for its Blu-ray bow, this inspired comedy revolves around a quartet of bank robbers (Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, Tom Georgeson) who, post-heist, try to swindle each other out of the loot. Director Charles Crichton uncorks all kinds of crazy scenes but the heart of the movie is Curtis’ surprisingly tender bond with a lawyer (John Cleese) whom she tries to seduce for information. He falls for her and, lo and behold, she falls for him too. “Wanda” delivers laughs and a sweet, gooey center. What more do you want? Extras: featurettes.
Loch Ness - Series 1 (2016, Acorn, unrated, $50): Stealing scenes away from Bryan Cranston is no easy task but that’s what Laura Fraser did on “Breaking Bad” as the toxic Lydia. Now the Scottish actress is front and center in a six-part murder mystery about a tough-as-nails detective in search of a serial killer. Set and shot in and around Scotland’s Carn Mohr Mountains, “Loch Ness” begins with the discovery of a murdered local man as well as the appearance of a human heart on the loch shore. It’s dark and intriguing in the tradition of “Broadchurch” and “Wallander.” Extras: featurettes. Reign - Fourth and Final Season (2016, Warner, unrated, $25): In the mood for a little palace intrigue? Check out the final 16 episodes of this guilty-pleasure drama about two queens who will do anything to hang on to their power. Mary Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane) is hellbent on taking back her country and establishing rule in Scotland, which doesn’t sit well with England’s Queen Elizabeth who seeks to topple Mary’s throne. It’s the royal rivalry which keeps the tricky plot continually popping. Extras: none. Friday Night Lights - The Complete Series (20062011, Mill Creek, unrated, $99): Has any series ever captured the struggles, victories and heartbreaks of small-town life quite as profoundly as “Friday Night Lights.” Finally available on Blu-ray, the show centers primarily on members of the town’s football team (Scott Porter, Zach Gilford, Taylor Kitsch) as well as the coach (Kyle Chandler) and his family (Aimee Teegarden, Connie Britton). You don’t have to love football to enjoy this Emmy-winning series. Extras: none.