Review: A number of impressive performances in this week’s releases (Includes first-hand account)

Chronicling the inner workings of the prestigious David Craig Institute of New Medicine, where Dr. David Craig (E.G. Marshall) and his assistants Dr. Paul Hunter (David Hartman) and Dr. Ted Stuart (John Saxon) tackle the most challenging of cases. The stories which often reflected the societal concerns of the day as well as exploring the cutting edge of medical techniques.

This show is best described as a precursor for ER. The doctors deal with complex cases, often dealing with difficult family members while trying to deliver their diagnoses and treatments. In one episode, the physicians clash over the life of a man who is a potential organ donor, engaging in challenging discussions about care and ethics. Another deals with teen pregnancy and a parent’s right to make decisions for their child; though it does find a rather convenient loophole that prevents the narrative from taking a distinct stand on the subject. In a less controversial episode, the doctors employ some innovative techniques around heart transplants. Unlike contemporary TV shows, there’s little personal drama and the focus remains on the doctors’ professional duties.

Special features include: Ironside crossover episode, “Five Days in the Death of Sgt. Brown (Part 2).” (Shout Factory)

Creed (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)

Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), son of deceased world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, has boxing in his blood. Looking to win his own title, Adonis heads to Philadelphia and convinces his father’s rival-turned-friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), to train him — even as Rocky battles his own deadly opponent outside the ring. Now Adonis has a shot, but first he must develop the heart of a true fighter.

The last two attempts to relive/renew/revive the legend of Rocky Balboa have inarguably failed. This film succeeds by shifting the spotlight to an up-and-coming fighter and allowing the former champ to fade ever so slightly into the background. This is Adonis’ journey and Rocky is along for the ride. Jordan trained extensively for this role and it pays off as he appears to hold his own against real-life professional boxers. Though the outcome of the final match may seem predictable, it is no less impressive and captivating as they trade violent blows. Writer/director Ryan Coogler‘s screenplay expertly weaves old and new, incorporating classic aspects of the franchise while paving the way for a new protagonist. And most importantly they answer the burning question: “Who won the third fight?”

Special features include: deleted scenes; “Know the Past, Own the Future”; and “Becoming Adonis.” (Warner Home Video)

The Fall: Series 1 (Blu-ray)

DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) is a steely detective on the trail of serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan), stalking the streets of Belfast.

This BBC series is reminiscent of the American TV show, The Following, though it’s less gruesome and widespread. The first season introduces the characters of Gibson and Spector who remain entirely separate entities until the last moments of the season finale. The former is an unabashed detective superintendent who stands her ground, makes the tough decisions and is confident in her ability to do her job well. She manages her personal life similarly, assuredly selecting her sexual partners without any risk of attachment. Spector lives a double life. In the one, he is a husband, father and counsellor who likely fantasizes about his teenage babysitter. The other, which threatens his idealistic existence, is that of a stalker and murderer who takes pleasure from hurting women. Dornan’s performance in this series explains the reasoning in casting him in Fifty Shades of Grey, though that still doesn’t necessarily make it a good choice.

Special features include: behind-the-scenes featurette. (Acorn)

The Fall: Series 2 (Blu-ray)

DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) continues to hunt serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). As Gibson tries to help Spector’s surviving victim remember the identity of her attacker, Spector deals with loose ends that he left behind in Belfast. When he realizes that someone from his past has been helping the police with their inquiries, Spector changes his plans with terrifying consequences.

Spector’s character is vastly different this season. With the police now on his trail, he becomes much more calculated and uncaring in his interactions. Though he claims to love his family, they become secondary in his quest for freedom and desire to ruin Gibson. Meanwhile, Gibson is pushed to question some of her tactics as they have unexpected and possibly fatal consequences. Yet, she maintains her conviction and shows no hint of her uncertainty in public. The cat-and-mouse game gains a lot of intensity in these six episodes, forcing the game to continue even when it appears over. The season concludes on a much larger cliff-hanger than the previous one, promising an unpredictable third and final chapter.

Special features include: deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurette; and photo gallery. (Acorn)

Legend (Blu-ray)

This is the true story of the rise and fall of London’s most notorious gangsters, Reggie and Ronnie Kray (Tom Hardy). Together, the Kray Twins take over the city. But as their reign expands, power-struggles, fierce madness and a woman diminishes their bond — the weak link that could cause their empire to collapse.

Playing two roles is a challenging endeavour that Hardy competently and heartily meets head-on. In spite of their physical similarities, there are distinct differences between the brothers to the extent that Ronnie actually appears slightly taller. Reggie is undoubtedly the more conservative brother. But due to Ronnie’s proclivities, he’s the more interesting of the two. He’s open about his homosexuality, hosts orgies, has no verbal filter, and becomes increasingly and unpredictably aggressive as the picture progresses. Outside of there being two protagonists, this is a fairly typical mob story. They experience the same rise and fall of any kingpin, leading a prosperous business and making important connections before self-destructive behaviour threatens to destroy their house of cards. Were the dynamic, individual characters and Hardy’s performance not so captivating, the film would simply be another conventional contribution to the genre.

Special features include: commentary by writer/director Brian Helgeland; and “Creating the Legend.” (Elevation Pictures)

Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales (DVD)

The story begins following the victory celebration in the Ewok village on Endor at the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. R2-D2 and C-3PO have gathered to regale Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca and the other rebels with the tales of their adventures that led to the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. An accidental kidnapping occurs while the droids are reminiscing, which also leads to the retelling of the entire Star Wars saga as told by R2-D2 and C-3PO.

Lego’s Star Wars franchise is thriving because they do such an excellent job of repurposing the original stories and remaking them with their own keen sense of humour. In five short episodes, the miniseries revisits and relates the gist of every episode leading up to the current chapter. C-3PO’s embellishments are classic and hilarious, finding ways to regale total strangers with his so-called heroic adventures. Luckily his incessant love of his own voice also occasionally comes in handy. Switching between the search and stories, viewers are invited to sit back and enjoy the condensed, Lego version of events.

There are no special features. (Disney Home Entertainment)

Lost in Hong Kong (Blu-ray)

In the mid-1990s, university art majors Xu Lai (Xu Zheng) and Yang Yi (Du Juan) fell in love. Then Yang was transferred to the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Xu hasn’t seen her since. Almost twenty years later, Xu has long forgotten his dreams of becoming an artist; but he can never forget Yang even though he enjoys a comfortable life with his loving wife Cai Bo (Zhao Wei). The only major problem between them is their repeated failure to conceive a child. During a vacation in Hong Kong with Cai’s overbearing family, Xu plans to secretly visit Yang; but Cai Bo’s goofy young brother Cai Lala (Bao Bei’er) — always carrying a video camera in hand for his documentary project — tags along like his unwelcome shadow to spoil the rendezvous. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Wong Jing is filming another riotous gangster movie while two police officers (Sam Lee and Eric Kot) investigate a murder.

This is primarily a slapstick comedy mixed with a crime drama, though it’s much heavier on the former. The first hour is entirely ridiculous – often too ridiculous. Cai Lala is incredibly annoying and constantly getting Xu Lai into various forms of trouble. In the course of a few hours, Xu Lai nearly gets his head blown off by a faulty movie prop; they’re chased from a brothel by Mexican and Japanese gangsters; and they find themselves hanging off the side of a bridge. The second half of the film settles down a little and stops trying so hard, incorporating relatable yet exaggerated elements of a family melodrama and leaning more on the cop narrative. To conclude the mishmash of genres, the finale is a prolonged and uncharacteristic action sequence that puts many of their lives in danger.

Special features include: making-of featurette; and blooper reel. (Well Go USA)

The Night Before (Blu-ray)

Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have been friends since childhood, and for a decade, their yearly Christmas Eve reunion has been an annual night of debauchery and hilarity. Now that they’re entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball – the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.

There aren’t many adult-oriented Christmas movies and there certainly hasn’t been one in some time; though it is ironic that this hole is filled by a group of Jewish writers and director. The trio’s traditions aren’t exactly traditional either. Other than visiting the tree at Rockefeller Centre, they sing inappropriate songs at Schwartz’s and Run-DMC at a karaoke bar. To make this night even more interesting, Isaac is taking a variety of illegal drugs that cause him to act erratically no matter the situation. Uncharacteristically, Michael Shannon plays a philosophical drug dealer that makes several appearances throughout the night to have enlightening conversations with each of the three celebrators. Notably, the comedy is not limited to the men as Jillian Bell, Lizzy Caplan and Mindy Kaling each have significantly funny parts to play.

Special feature include: deleted and extended scenes; “Making One Epic Party: 20 Minutes of On-Set Shenanigans”; “The Spirit of Christmas”; “Drunkest Santas on The Block”; “Whale Juice: Extended Strip Club Scene”; “Midnight Mass with Nana”; “Christmas in the Summer”; Mr. Green Line-O Rama; and gag reel. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Room (Blu-ray & DVD)

To five-year-old Jack (Jacob Tremblay), Room is the world. It’s where he was born; and it’s where he and his Ma, Joy (Brie Larson), eat, sleep, play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick (Sean Bridgers) visits. Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it’s the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack’s curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer.

Living inside the room is a constant rollercoaster of emotions. Both Joy and Jack are ticking time bombs ready to go off at the slightest infraction. On the other hand, they are all the other has and they cling to each other with desperation and affection. Director Lenny Abrahamson seems to enjoy self-imposed restrictions on his films and actors, causing everyone to thrive within the prescribed limits. The second half of the film portrays their experiences outside of the room, which is very different for each of them. Joy is excited to return to the life from which she was so abruptly taken; Jack, on the other hand, is overwhelmed by all these fresh encounters. However as Jack adapts, Joy is slowly crushed by the countless changes that occurred in her absence. This extended depiction of their post-incarceration is fascinating and a portrayal rarely included in other similar narratives. The bond depicted by Larson and Tremblay is extraordinarily genuine and has continued along the awards trail over the past several months.

Special features include: commentary by director Lenny Abrahamson and crew; making-of featurette; “11×11”; and “Recreating Room.” (Elevation Pictures)