Tom Cruise stars in 'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol,' now on DVD and Blu-ray
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Tom Cruises fourth outing as superspy Ethan Hunt is his best yet. This 2011 thriller keeps the excitement going with amazing stunts and impressive high-tech gadgetry. The Impossible Mission Force agent breaks out of a Budapest prison, sneaks into the Kremlin in Moscow and scales the outside of a skyscraper in Dubai. Cruise may be starting to look a little gaunt in the face at 49, but he musters an impressive intensity in this breath-taking adventure, based on the hit TV show. This time, the secretary really has disavowed all knowledge of the IMF teams actions, leaving Hunt and three colleagues on their own to catch a nuclear terrorist in pursuit of missile launch codes. The cast includes Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), Paula Patton and Tom Wilkinson. Director Brad Bird previously helmed The Incredibles and Ratatouille, which an Oscar for best animated film. Ghost Protocol cost $145 million and made a scary $637 million in theaters worldwide. PG-13, 132 minutes. A two-disc set with DVD and Blu-ray includes more than two hours of bonus material, including deleted scenes, an alternate opening and featurettes about the stunts and a sandstorm. From Paramount. Released April 17.
Shame
This steamy 2011 psychodrama about a mans self-destructive sexual addiction was cited by many as being snubbed by the Oscars, which gave it no nominations. Michael Fassbender did earn a Golden Globe nomin! ation as man out of control who spins further downward when his transient sister (Carey Mulligan) moves in with him, cramping his style. Directed by Steve McQueen (not the late actor, silly), the sexually explicit film cost $6.5 million and made less than $4 million in U.S. theaters. NC-17, 101 minutes. A two-disc set with DVD, Blu-ray and a digital copy for portable players includes four featurettes plus an episode of Fox Movie Channel presents: In Character with Michael Fassbender. From Fox. Released April 17.
Treme, season 2
Stubborn residents of post-Katrina New Orleans dig in to rebuild their embattled city and preserve its unique culture in this excellent HBO drama series. The top-notch ensemble cast includes Melissa Leo, Steve Zahn, Clarke Peters, Khandi Alexander, David Morse and Wendell Pierce. The series was created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer, who previously worked together on the much-loved HBO series The Wire. The 2011 season is four discs, 11 episodes, 674 minutes. DVD extras: three featurettes and commentary on four episodes and select musical performances. The Blu-ray version adds two more featurettes. From HBO. Released April 17.
The Last Rites of Joe May
Dennis Farina plays a small-time hustler presumed dead by everyone he knows after he has a lengthy hospital stay battling pneumonia. When he finally gets out, he finds his landlord has pawned all of his belongings and rented out his apartment to a single mother, played by Jamie Anne Allman. With his options for a meaningful life quickly fading, he reaches for one last chance. This well-acted 2011 drama was written and directed by Joe Maggio. Unrated, 107 minutes. DVD extras: outtakes! and an interview with Maggio. From New Video and Tribeca Film.
American Translation
This sexy drama includes an unusual twist. A young Frenchman travels the countryside with his lover, an American woman, in search of excitement, but he also has a dark obsession with gay men. The 2011 film stars Lizzie Brochere and Pierre Perrier. Unrated, 109 minutes. No extras. From TLA Releasing. Released April 17.
Ernie Kovacs: The ABC Specials
The late, great Ernie Kovacs died tragically on the cusp of stardom at the age of 42, but he is fondly remembered for his innovative TV work in the 1950s and early 1960s. This new release breaks out a single disc from last Aprils exciting six-disc set, The Ernie Kovacs Collection, to give new audiences an affordable way to sample the genius comics efforts. Five of his ABC specials from 1961 are presented, complete and uncut. 145 minutes. DVD extra: his innovative commercials for Dutch Masters cigars. From Shout Factory. Released April 17.
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