Potential Oscar winners, some dumb as well as gory cult classics, must-see television and the remastering of a Disney-animated gem are some of the tops picks in Blu-ray home entertainment this week.
Latest and greatest
“The Theory of Everything” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Rated PG-13, $34.98) — Not just a concise biography of legendary astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, director James March’s movie explores the themes of a man’s determination to survive a debilitating disease and the power of his wife’s devotion. Nominated for five Academy Awards, this heartbreaking as well as heartwarming cinematic powerhouse offers exceptional performances by Eddie Redmayne as Mr. Hawking and Felicity Jones as his wife, Jane.
Extras are minimal to the Blu-ray disk, with a 7-minute look at “Becoming the Hawkings” and, more importantly, an optional commentary track. Mr. March offers a workmanlike narrative, praising Mr. Redmayne’s meticulous work and the lighting choices of cinematographer Benoit Delhomme.
I would have appreciated a documentary on Mr. Hawking and his impact on the world of science or at least some extended thoughts from this amazing individual. It’s a missed opportunity that should have accompanied such a fine film.
Top toon
“101 Dalmatians: Diamond Edition” (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Rated: G, $36.99) — Perhaps not as significant to the history of animated films as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” or “Fantasia,” this 79-minute classic still holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of many who grew up appreciating the evolution of Disney’s full-length cartoons. Most memorable is still the introduction of the legendary villainess Cruella de Vil, a woman of pure evil with a penchant for wearing dog fur.
The Diamond Blu-ray version shines not only for the digital remastering of a 54-year-old cartoon (the process involving Xeroxing artists’ drawings to cels, resulting in a rougher animation style) but also for a few featurettes offering history of the making of the classic and the inclusion of the 10th episode, from 1957, of the television show “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
And, if you ever wondered about the heroic TV dog seen in the movie, check out the animated short “The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt” for his retro escapades.
Cult classic
“Dumb and Dumber To” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Rated R, $34.98) — Anyone looking to lower their IQ by 5 to 10 points need only sit down and watch the latest high-definition adventures of famed knuckleheads Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas. With the legendary Farrelly brothers in control of the 109-minute ode to stupid, stars Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey break out the bad haircuts within a story that won’t cause many hearty laughs.
Extras include an underwhelming gag reel (Mr. Carrey usually shine in these), a 45-minute look at the “Dumb and Dumber” mythos and, perhaps most amusing, a featurette on the justification for making the movie tied to why smart people need to laugh.
Only the hardest of hard-core fans need add this Blu-ray to their collection.
“Phantom of the Opera” (Shout Factory, Rated R, $24.97) — This gorier adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel about a deformed composer haunting an opera house and falling in musical love with a female soprano from 1989 starred the actor who made Freddie Krueger a horror icon, Robert Englund.
Not to ever get confused with Lon Chaney’s 1925 silent classic version, this gothic slasher film was a box office dud but has found cult status over the years due to a Faustian take on the tale as well as its ode to Hammer horror films and more authentic alignment to the original source material.
Fans will appreciate the new 37-minute documentary featuring recent interviews with the key production folks and stars as well as an enlightening commentary track with director Dwight H. Little and Mr. Englund. Both chat it up throughout with war stories about the shoot and interesting production minutiae.
Still available
“Gone Girl” (20 Century Fox Home Entertainment, rated R, $34.99) — Those in need of a good mystery for their Blu-ray collection should still consider grabbing a copy of director David Fincher’s Academy Award-nominated adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel.
The wickedly long (zoinks, clocking in at 149 minutes) but oddly satisfying story of a vanishing wife — with the husband looking like the prime suspect — has enough twists to cause motion sickness. Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike plays the wife, while future Batman Ben Affleck handles the confused spousal duties.
Extras are limited to an amusing and candid deconstruction of the film via a commentary track from the director. Additionally, the package contains an actual illustrated children’s storybook featuring an adventure in telling the truth by Amazing Amy (wink, wink).
Best of all, look for the discounted, $14.99 asking price at many an online shop now. It’s certainly worth committing to one’s Blu-ray library just to repeatedly watch Mr. Affleck’s character squirm at his infuriating circumstances.
Binge-watching
“Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season” (HBO Home Entertainment, Rated: TV-MA, $79.98) — Fans getting primed for the fifth season of HBO’s megapopular adaption of author George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series can fondly appreciate last year’s thunderous shows with all 10 episodes in the high-def format on four Blu-ray disks.
Life got increasingly difficult for our heroes and villains of Westeros last season with King Joffrey’s wedding, the growth and aggressiveness of Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons, the trial of accused killer Tyrion Lannister and the epic Night Watch battle against the Wildings.
The extras are a satisfying and bountiful feast. with nearly a dozen optional commentary tracks that even include words from even the mighty Mr. Martin.
Better yet, an in-episode guide (displayed as a sheath that drops down the side of the screen) offers in-screen access to encyclopedic entries about the characters, location and history of the current action. The history to such topics as poisons and the Iron Bank comes alive in short, motion comic vignettes narrated by some of the characters.
Those wanting to watch all of the 16 “Histories and Lore” animated shorts will also find them compiled in total on the fourth disk.
• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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