View from the couch
“CARS 3”
Nostalgia paradoxically gives the latest chapter of the animated Disney-Pixar franchise a certain freshness – and definite emotion – as Owen Wilson again voices race car Lightning McQueen, who finds his standing in his sport threatened with being sidelined by a newer, faster brigade of automobiles. He invokes the spirit of his mentor Doc Hudson (voice of the late Paul Newman, heard in a sequence made for the original movie) as he tries to ensure the continuation of his career. Bonnie Hunt and Larry the Cable Guy are among other returnees to the voice cast, with newcomers including Armie Hammer, Kerry Washington, Chris Cooper, Cristela Alonzo and Nathan Fillion. (G) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand) ›››
“THE CROWN: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON” John Lithgow recently won a richly deserved Emmy for his portrayal of Prime Minister Winston Churchill in this widely acclaimed Netflix drama, also starring Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, who takes the British throne at a time of national tumult. The script by Peter Morgan – who also explored the monarch’s later years in, appropriately, “The Queen” – also examines her life as a newlywed from 1947 through the mid1950s, in what is being planned as a sixseason series (Season 2 is slated to begin streaming on Dec. 8). (Not rated: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray) ›››› “THE GLASS CASTLE”
Former gossip columnist Jeannette Walls’ memoir fuels this drama, which features Brie Larson (“Room”) – who previously worked with director Destin Daniel Cretton on “Short Term 12” – as the adult Walls, but really gives the film’s showcase role to Woody Harrelson as her iconoclastic father. His drinking is part of his colorful personality, but also of his sometimes dangerous unpredictability ... which especially manifests itself in a harrowing scene in which the dad tries to move young Jeannette past one of her fears by throwing her into the deep end of a pool. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes; interview with Walls. (PG-13: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On ››› Demand)
“WESTWORLD: SEASON ONE”
Michael Crichton’s original movie concept of a resort where lifelike androids fulfill guests’ wishes gets added complexity – and that’s putting it mildly – in this HBO series adaptation that recently was the most-nominated cable series at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards (with 22 bids). Anthony Hopkins plays the site’s founder, who resists others’ intentions for it ... including eliminating two romantically involved “hosts” (Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden) by having an attack staged on the entire park. Ed Harris assumes Yul Brynner’s film role as the sinister Man in Black. Principal cast members also include Jeffrey Wright, Thandie Newton, Luke Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Clifton Collins Jr. and Rodrigo Santoro. DVD extras: “making-of” documentaries outtakes; Comic-Con panel.
(Not rated: AS, N, P,V) (Also on Bluray ››› and 4K Ultra HD)
“INGRID GOES WEST”
Obsessed with social media, the titular Ingrid (Aubrey Plaza, “Parks and Recreation”) relocates from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles to get closer to a social-media personality (Elizabeth Olsen) in director and co-writer Matt Spicer’s effectively unsettling comedydrama. The relocated woman’s efforts to insinuate herself into the online star’s life become increasingly desperate, eventually involving the Olsen character’s recoveringaddict brother (Billy Magnussen) and a would-be screenwriter (O’Shea Jackson Jr.). Plaza is scary good here, quite literally, and the screenplay earned a Sundance Film Festival award. Wyatt Russell also stars. (R: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray and On ››› Demand)
“FAMILY GUY: SEASON FIFTEEN”
Another round of Seth McFarlane’s animated Fox comedy series gets a homevideo release, with a special tribute to guest voices Carrie Fisher and Adam West included. Among the plots, Peter (voiced by MacFarlane) runs into trouble while portraying Santa in a shopping mall, and Stewie and Brian (also both voiced by MacFarlane) operate a bed-and-breakfast with a big twist. Among the season’s guest voices are Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea and athletes Stephen Curry and Rob Gronkowski. The regular voice cast also includes Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mila Kunis and Patrick Warburton. Other DVD extras: deleted scenes. (Not rated: AS, P)