‘Sully’ is a moving tribute to bravery
Old-school professionalism is the true subject of “Sully” (2016, Warner, R, $30), Clint Eastwood’s tribute to Chesley Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), the brave pilot who, following the loss of both of his plane’s engines, saved the lives of all of his passengers when he landed US Airways Flight 1549 on New York’s Hudson River.
Pulling off such a remarkable feat wasn’t enough for the suits at the National Transportation Safety Board, though, and he was grilled endlessly about what he might have done differently.
“Sully,” which stages a crash sequence on par with the ones from “Flight” and “Castaway,” is patient and moving, giving off vibes of competency as befits a project involving such make-itlook-easy experts as Eastwood, Hanks and Sullenberger. Extras: featurettes.
Also New To DVD Bridget Jones’s’ Baby (2016, Universal, R, $28):
Single once again at 43, Bridget (Renee Zellweger) hooks up with a billionaire American named Jack (Patrick Dempsey) before falling back into the arms of her ex-love Darcy (Colin Firth). When she finds herself pregnant, she’s unsure which of her beaus is the father. It’s nowhere near as good as the original film, but there’s plenty of reasons to cheer, including a scene-stealing turn by Emma Thompson (who co-scripted) as a wry obstetrician and Bridget’s very funny — and believable — battle with a much-younger boss. Sharper lines would have made for a better movie but Bridget is still a lovable as ever. Extras: deleted scenes, featurettes and gag reel.
*** Suicide Squad (2016, Warner, PG-13, $30):
Set in the D.C. Comics universe, this over-stuffed, over-amped superhero yarn begins when a government honcho (Viola Davis) comes up with the idea of bringing together death row supervillains like Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Philadelphia’s Will Smith) to battle bad guys, particularly a supernatural figure known as the Enchantress (Cara Delevinge). Under the direction of David Ayer (“Training Day”), the film bungles its attempts to be irreverent and edgy ala “Deadpool” and underuses the Joker (Jared Leto). After about 20 minutes, you’ll feel like throwing in the towel. Extras: extended cut, featurettes, music video and gag reel.
*** The BFG (2016, Disney, PG, $40):
Based on a book by Roald Dahl (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), Steven Spielberg’s latest charts the unlikely friendship between a big, friendly giant (Mark Rylance, in his first motion-capture performance) and a London orphan named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill). The pair become not only pals but also comrades in a mission to protect the world’s children from bloodthirsty monsters. It’s no surprise, given Spielberg’s involvement, that this fantasy brims with visual delights, including scenes filled with magical dream jars and a very funny visit to the Queen of England (Penelope Wilton). Despite lacking a sense of momentum, “The BFG” will win you over. Extras: featurettes.
*** Equity (2016, Sony, R, $30):
Wall Street provides the backdrop for a femmecentric corporate thriller that ponders themes like ambition, greed and the fine art of back-stabbing. “Breaking Bad’s” Anna Gunn is a high-powered investment banker navigating a tech company IPO. As the deal goes down, she finds herself unable to trust her broker-boyfriend (James Purefoy), her assistant (Sarah Megan Thomas) or her college pal-turned prosecutor (Alysia Reiner). The cast is flawless but the real surprise is how expertly the plot flows from a cascade of secrets and lies. Extras: featurettes.
*** Goat (2016, Paramount, R, $20):
There have been a number of movies that have exposed the cruelty of fraternity hazing but “Goat” makes you understand it on a visceral level. Ben Schnetzer stars as a high school grad who is beaten up and robbed by townies following a party. Still reeling from the experience, he decides to try and become a member of his brother’s (Nick Jonas) fraternity in hopes of winning protection and lifelong friendships. But the pledge ritual of Hell Week winds up testing Schnetzer and Jonas in surprising ways. Expect to be riveted by this harrowing look at the high cost of trying to find your way in the world. Extras: none.
*** Roseanne For President (2016, IFC, unrated, $25):
A couple of decades after confronting issues involving family, class, race and gender on her hit sitcom, Roseanne Barr opted to run for president in 2012. This documentary chronicles that grassroots campaign and also digs into Barr’s past via fascinating interviews with her siblings and mother. Even though the movie feels padded at just 97 minutes, it does make the case that Barr was deadly serious about putting forth her views about shaking up the country, from instituting a singlepayer healthcare system to legalizing marijuana. At the very least, “Roseanne For President” gives you something to talk about. Extras: deleted scenes and featurette.
*** She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949, Warner Archive, unrated, $20):
John Wayne gives one of his quietest, most compelling turns in this new-to-Bluray western from the great John Ford. Under aging make-up, Wayne plays an about-to-retire cavalry officer who vows to make his last mission one of peace. Joanne Dru and John Agar co-star but you barely notice them whenever Wayne is in the frame. Ford also uncorks some of his most beautiful compositions in this Technicolor outing, which was shot against the backdrop of the majestic Monument Valley. Extras: Ford’s home movies.
*** Sudden Fear (1952, Cohen, unrated, $25):
In a performance that netted him his first Best Supporting Oscar nod, Jack Palance is scary good as an actor who marries a rich playwright (Joan Crawford) and then schemes with his girlfriend (Gloria Grahame) to knock her off and inherit her millions. Thanks to a twist of fate, Crawford overhears Palance and Grahame’s plans and decides to turn the tables on the larcenous pair. Now on Blu-ray, “Sudden Fear” offers up a bonanza of deviousness, suspense and betrayal. It’s a white-knuckle affair from start to finish. Extras: commentary track.