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DISCussion: New on DVD and Blu-ray (7.1.2014)

Although there are several wonderful and critically-acclaimed films coming out this week, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to nominate classic 90's Arnold Schwarzenegger hit, Kindergarten Cop, as our Recommendation of the Week. First Release: - The Unknown Known (DVD, Blu-ray and Instant) - Like Father, Like Son (DVD and Instant) - The Lunchbox (Blu-ray/DVD combo and Instant)  -Afflicted (DVD, Blu-ray and Instant) - Maidentrip (DVD and Instant) Re-release: -Kindergarten Cop (1990) (Blu-ray) -Cry-Baby (1990) (Blu-ray) Kindergarten Cop Kindergarten Cop (1990) (Blu-ray) *Recommendation of the Week* Director: Ivan Reitma Writers: Murray Salem, Herschel Weingrod and Timothy Harris Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Anne Miller, Pamela Reed, Richard Tyson Kindergarten Cop is the classic story of, “Cop goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher, cop meets fellow teacher who is the undercover ex-wife of notorious drug lord, hardened-cop is able to finally let his guard down and fall in love”. In what is arguably Arnold's most entertaining role, Detective John Kimble has to juggle the investigation of drug dealer, Crisp Cullen (Richard Tyson), with the day-to-day activities of a kindergarden teacher. Kimble is forced to give up his hard-line, no-nonsense attitude in favor of a more nurturing one. Watching Arnold act like a school teacher a mere three years after Predator, is an absolute delight. Possibly the first mega-action hero turned kids movie star, Arnold set a precedent for actors like Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel and John Cena. It certainly won't be the best movie in your collection, but if you're a big fan of the 90's or Arnold Schwarzenegger, it's a strong-buy. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 51% (Rotten) Metacritic: 61/100 (Okay) IMDB: 5.9 (Okay) Entertainment Fuse Score: 5.8/10 (Okay) DISC Details: Amazon: $14.99 (Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet) The Unknown Known The Unknown Known (DVD, Blu-ray and Instant) Director/Writer: Errol Morris Starring: Donald Rumsfeld and Errol Morris The Unknown Known is expert-documentarist, Errol Morris's, recent chronicling of Donald Rumsfeld's illustrious career in Washington D.C. In Morris's capable hands, this documentary details Rumsfeld's career through his own eyes. The only man to serve as US Secretary of Defense twice (as both the youngest, under Ford, and oldest, under G.W. Bush, person to do so), Rumsfeld is a master of obscurity and self-preservation. During the film's 103 minute run-time, Rumsfeld is an absolutely captivating figure that offers little more than bewilderment and frustration to anyone seeking actual answers to Morris's lofty questions. For anyone with an interest in politics, this is a must-watch documentary. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 83% (Very Good) Metacritic: 69/100 (Good) IMDB: 7.0 (Good) DISC Details: Special Features: Conversation with Errol Morris – an 8:15 introduction by Morris; Third Annual Report of the Secretaries of Defense – A Georgia public television broadcast featuring Secretaries of Defense Melvin Laird (under Nixon, 1969-1973), Frank Carlucci (Reagan, 1987-89), Caspar Weinberger (Reagan, 1981-87), James R. Schlesinger (Nixon/Ford, 1973-75), Donald Rumsfeld himself (Ford/Bush, 1975-77 and 2001-06), and Robert McNamara; and The Certainty of Donald Rumsfeld – A written op-ed by Morris. Amazon: $21.23 (DVD); $25.49 (Blu-ray); $3.99/$12.99 (Instant Rent/Buy) Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 3.5 stars(out of 5); Video: 4 stars; Audio: 4 stars; Extras: 3.5 stars; Replay: 2.5 stars. Rent It.   Like Father, Like Son Like Father, Like Son (Soshite chichi ni naru) (DVD and Instant) Director/ Writer: Hirokazu Koreeda Starring: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yoko Maki and Riri Furanki Like Father, Like Son is a story about a busy Japanese architect, Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama), and his wife Midori (Machiko Ono) who, after a DNA test, find out their six-year-old son, Keita, is not their biological son. Like Father, Like Son beautifully explores the meaning of fatherhood, and forces Ryota to decide between his biological son, and the boy he has raised as his own. In the capable hands of director Hirokazu Koreeda, this human drama focuses on Ryota's coming-to-terms with fatherhood and the responsibilities that accompany raising a child. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 87% (Very Good) Metacritic: 73/100 (Very Good) IMDB: 7.8 (Very Good) DISC Details: Amazon: $21.23 (DVD); $14.99 (Instant - Buy) Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 4 stars(out of 5); Replay: 3 stars. Highly Recommended. The Lunchbox The Lunchbox (Blu-ray/DVD combo and Instant) Director/ Writer: Ritesh Batra Starring: Nimrat Kaur, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Lillete Dubey Lonely housewife, Ila (Nimrat Kaur) tries to add some verve to her waning marriage by sending a love note to her husband at work. The note, however, is mis-delivered and ends up with her husband's co-worker, the near-retired Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan), whom she's never met. This mistake sparks a new friendship, and the two continue to send letters back-and-forth. Still having never met, their letters begin divulge all of their innermost thoughts, feelings and happiness. When the friendship begins to develop into something more, it jeopardizes both of their reputations. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 95% (Excellent) Metacritic: 76/100 (Very Good) IMDB: 7.9 (Very Good) DISC Details: Special Features: Commentary track with writer/director Ritesh Batra Amazon: $24.96 (BR/DVD); $14.99 (Instant - Buy) Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 4 stars(out of 5); Video: 4.5 stars; Audio: 4.5 stars; Extras: 3 stars; Replay: 4 stars. Highly Recommended.   Afflicted Afflicted (DVD, Blu-ray and Instant) Writer/Director: Derek Lee, Clif Prowse Starring: Derek Lee, Clif Prowse, Michael Gill and Baya Rehaz Best friends Clif (Clif Prowse) and Derek (Derek Lee) embark on a backpacking trip around the world. Their plans change suddenly, when one of them gets “Afflicted” by a mysterious girl in Paris. The two must race to find her before it consumes them. Winner of Best Picture (Horror), Best Screenplay (Horror) and Best Director (Horror) at Fantastic Fest, Afflicted promises to be one of the scariest movies you see all year. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 83% (Very Good) Metacritic: 56/100 (Good) IMDB: 6.4 (Good) DISC Details: Amazon: $14.96 (DVD); $24.96 (Blu-ray); $3.99/$14.99 (Instant Rent/Buy) Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 4 stars(out of 5); Replay: 3.5 stars. Highly Recommended. Maidentrip Maidentrip (DVD and Instant) Director: Jillian Schlesinger Starring: Laura Dekker A grippingly-powerful documentary, Maidentrip is the triumphant story Laura Dekker's journey to becoming the youngest person to sail – alone – around the world. Using a combination of self-shot footage and voice recordings from the trip, and the directors on-location scenes, Maidentrip is a wholly-inspirational story of a young girl accomplishing her incredible dream. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 81% (Very Good) Metacritic: 70/100 (Good) IMDB: 7.6 (Very Good) DISC Details: Amazon: $22.98 (DVD); $3.99/$9.99 (Instant Rent/Buy)   Cry-Baby Cry Baby (1990) (Blu-ray) Writer/Director: John Waters Starring: Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Ricki Lake and Iggy Pop John Waters' outrageously-campy, 1950's era comedy/musical is like Grease taken to the extreme. Known for his “distasteful” and provocative style, Waters delivers a hilarious spoof of 1950's juvenile delinquency movies with an updated (and musical) flare. Cry-Baby (Johnny Depp) is a “greaser” who falls in love with good-girl Allison (Amy Locane), much to the complete disapproval of her friends and family. The closer the two get, the more everyone else tries to tear them apart. Finally being released on Blu-ray and Ultraviolet/Digital HD format, this is a must-have for Waters enthusiasts. Critics' Rating (Rotten Tomatoes): 76% (Good) IMDB: 6.5 (Good) Entertainment Fuse Score: 5.8/10 (Okay) DISC Details: Amazon: $16.98 (Blu-ray + Digital HD with Ultraviolet) Score (DVDTalk.com): Content: 4 stars(out of 5); Video: 4 stars; Audio: 4 stars; Extras: 4.5 stars; Replay: 4 stars. Highly Recommended.

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