This Week: TV | Movies | Video | Trailers | Books | Overview
Out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week: A bunch of regular teens encounter the weirdness of having superpowers; plus Sebastian Cabot introduces spooky things.
Chronicle (2012)
Twentieth Century Fox
Found footage is a tricky format to get right, and it's exciting that a filmmaker wanted to try it with the kind of superhero origin story that normally gets such lush trappings that the hero becomes a construct. But these are really ordinary kids, caught off-guard and ruthlessly exposed in their moment of existential crisis.
Format: DVD and Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital (contains theatrical and director's cut).
The story: Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
Starring: Dane DeHaan (Andrew Detmer), Alex Russell (Matt Garetty), Michael B. Jordan (Steve Montgomery), Michael Kelly (Richard Detmer), Ashley Hinshaw (Casey Letter), Bo Petersen (Karen Detmer), Anna Wood (Monica), Rudi Malcolm (Wayne), Luke Tyler (Sean), Crystal-Donna Roberts (Samantha), Adrian Collins (Costly), Grant Powell (Howard), Armand Aucamp (Austin).
Directed by: Josh Trank.
Features: Deleted scene – "Matt and Casey in the Kitchen"; Pre-Viz and camera test; Trailer; Chronicle soundtrack info.
Ghost Story: The Complete Series (1972-1973)
Sony Pictures Home Ent.
This week's entry in the continuing geyser eruptions of forgotten '70s and '80s short-lived TV shows you never thought you'd see on home video: An often effective suspense anthology from the guy that reshaped cinematic thrillers.
Format: DVD (4 discs), online only via Sony's manufacture on demand (MOD) program.
The story: Horror movie maestro William Castle (The Tingler) followed his role model Alfred Hitchcock into TV with this anthology series of suspense and shudders, though he ceded the hosting chores to Sebastian Cabot (TV’s Family Affair) as “Winston Essex” for the first part of the series. A mid- season name change (to Circle of Fear) and a no-host format were intended to boost ratings, but this quirky, chilling and fascinating series only lasted one season. All 23 hour-long episodes are included.
Starring: Sebastian Cabot, Jason Robards, Helen Hayes, Melvyn Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Jodie Foster, Angie Dickinson.
Directed by: Various.
Features: None, but newly remastered.
