June and July feature releases of major films on Blu-ray and DVD. Most of the movies will also be available on VOD. The genre’s are all over the board from comedy to action with a little family in between. We will have reviews on most of the titles so check back often and see what our critics have to say about them. You may find a gem that you never knew existed or a hilarious comedy to brighten your day. Whether you are looking for horror, action-adventure, drama, comedy, crime or alternative lifestyle— the next months will have a little something for most everyone.
JUNE 2015
June 2, 2015
Free the Nipple- DVD
FREE THE NIPPLE is a spirited feature based on the true story of a new movement that advocates for a woman’s right to go topless in public – just like a man. The movement has received high-profile support from celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Lena Dunham and Courtney Love. It has taken hold in major U.S. cities, including New York, where above-the-waist nudity is legal and where Demi Moore’s daughter Scout Willis took to the streets topless to publicly protest Instagram’s no-nudity rule.
Camp X-Ray- Blu-ray/DVD
CAMP X-RAY hoping to escape her small-town roots and make a difference in the world, Amy Cole (Kristen Stewart, Twilight, On the Road, Clouds of Sils Maria) joins the military and is soon assigned a guard position at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Upon her arrival at the Cuban compound, she is told that those being held are not prisoners, but detainees, and therefore are not subject to theGeneva Convention – a suggestion that she may witness (or take part in) all manner of abuse. She is punched in the face and spit on from day one, but she remains strong in her resolve to be a good soldier. Surrounded by hostile jihadists as well as aggressive squad mates, she discovers that her mission is far from the black-and-white job she thought it would be.
Infected-DVD
INFECTED An average day in a quiet suburb becomes ground zero for the end of the world that we knew. When a fast-spreading global pandemic turns ordinary people into flesh-eating monsters, a handful of terrified survivors and the remnants of an army squad find refuge in an elementary school turned emergency shelter. With the hordes of walking dead trying to get in, scarce weapons and a dwindling food supply, the embattled refugees begin to turn on each other. As they slowly perish, they desperately attempt to escape and determine if they are the last uninfected humans left on Earth.
The Poltergeist of Borley Forest-DVD
THE POLTERGEIST OF BORLEY FOREST On a night of carefree teenage partying in the woods, Paige Pritchard unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will plunge her into a waking nightmare. Tormented by terrifying and increasingly violent supernatural visitations, Paige starts digging into the past and uncovers a sinister secret, buried for decades. Behind the deadly force that now haunts her is a malevolent entity of unspeakable evil.
Private Number- DVD
PRIVATE NUMBER A series of sinister phone calls haunt an ex-alcoholic writer as he struggles to finish a novel. Efforts to trace the calls result in dead ends, leaving the author with no choice but to solve the mystery himself. As he pieces together scant information he discovers the local police are hiding details about a horrific serial killer. In his obsessive search for answers, he loses his grip on reality, and spirals downward into a maelstrom of violence and terror.
Focus- Blu-ray/DVD
FOCUS In the midst of veteran con man Nicky’s latest scheme, a woman from his past – now an accomplished femme fatale – shows up and throws his plans for a loop. Starring Will Smith
Jupiter Ascending- Blu-ray/DVD
JUPITER ASCENDING Jupiter Jones was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people’s houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine Wise, a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along – her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos
SpongeBob Square Pants 2- Blu-ray/DVD
SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS 2 When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back.
McFarland, USA- Blu-ray/DVD
MCFARLAND, USA A struggling coach and teacher who has been had to move around for different incidents in his career finally comes to one of the poorest cities in America- McFarland, California. There he discovers buried potential among several high school boys and slowly turns them into championship runners and brings them closer than even he could ever imagine.
June 9, 2015
The Squeeze- DVD
THE SQUEEZE A young golf phenom, Augie Baccus, struggles to provide for his mom and sister in small, rural town.When a flashy gambler, Riverboat, rolls into town, he instantly sees the potential for a big payoff using Augie’s outstanding skills. They join forces and start hustling all the way to Las Vegas. Infamous mobster Jimmy Diamond sets up a million-dollar match and threatens Augie’s life if he doesn’t lose. When Riverboat finds out, he threatens Augie’s life if he doesn’t win. Win or lose, he’s dead. Caught in the squeeze, his only chance is to pull off the biggest sting in the history of golf.
Strange Blood- DVD
STRANGE BLOOD When a brilliant scientist goes to extremes to develop a universal cure for all disease, he finds himself infected with a bizarre parasite that begins to transform him into a bloodthirsty madman.
Kingsman: The Secret Service- Blu-ray/DVD
KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
Debug- DVD
DEBUG Deep space. Six young hackers on a grueling work release program attempt to clear out – debug – the computer systems of a massive derelict freighter. They quickly fall prey to the ship’s vengeful artificial intelligence, a program that would kill to be human. As the fractious team is forced to match wits with this rogue program, they discover that the ship holds a deadly secret, and a fate far worse than death.
Project Almanac- Blu-ray/DVD
PROJECT ALMANAC As a group of friends discover plans for a time machine, they build it and use it to fix their problems and personal gain. But as the future falls apart with disasters, and each of them disappear little by little, they must travel back to the past to make sure they never invent the machine or face the destruction of humanity.
June 16, 2015
Welcome to Me- DVD/Blu-Ray
WELCOME TO ME When Alice Klieg (Kristen Wiig) wins the Mega-millions lottery, she quits her psychiatric meds and buys her own talk show. Inspired by the immortal Oprah, she broadcasts her dirty laundry as both a form of exhibitionism and a platform to share her peculiar views on everything from nutrition to relationships to neutering pets.
Time Lapse- Blu-ray/DVD
TIME LAPSE a science fiction thriller with a mind-bending premise, TIME LAPSE explores the possibilities of time travel via a camera that takes pictures 24 hours into the future. When three friends discover this mysterious machine, they conspire to use it for personal gain, until disturbing and dangerous images begin to develop and tear their relationship apart. Starring Danielle Panabaker (“The Flash”), Matt O’Leary and George Finn, TIME LAPSE combines edge-of-your-seat suspense with provocative ideas about pre-determination and free will.
Run All Night- Blu-ray/DVD
RUN ALL NIGHT Professional Brooklyn hitman Jimmy Conlon is more commonly known as THE GRAVEDIGGER. Jimmy was a mob hit-man, who was best friends with his boss Sean Maguire. But when Jimmy’s son, Michael, is marked for death by the mob, Jimmy must go up against Sean to protect Michael at all costs. Together, he and Michael must avoid corrupt cops, contract killers and the mob to survive the night.
Chappie- Blu-ray/DVD
CHAPPIE In the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. But now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. As powerful, destructive forces start to see Chappie as a danger to mankind and order, they will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.
June 23, 2015
Lost For Words- DVD
LOST FOR WORDS Amidst the sweeping cityscape of cosmopolitan Hong Kong, an ex-Marine falls in love with a ballerina from China. Against mounting cultural and religious pressure, the two star-crossed lovers risk it all in pursuit of true love.
The Forger- Blu-ray/DVD
THE FORGER The world’s best art forger (John Travolta) makes a deal with a crime syndicate to get an early release from prison, but in return he must pull off an impossible heist – he must forge a painting by Claude Monet, steal the original from a museum, and replace it with a replica so perfect that no one will notice. He enlists the help of his father (Christopher Plummer) and son (Tye Sheridan) and together they plan the heist of their lives!
June 30, 2015
Danny Collins- Blu-ray/DVD
DANNY COLLINS Inspired by a true story, Al Pacino stars as aging 1970s rocker Danny Collins, who can’t give up his hard-living ways. But when his manager (Christopher Plummer) uncovers a 40 year-old undelivered letter written to him by John Lennon, he decides to change course and embarks on a heartfelt journey to rediscover his family, find true love and begin a second act.
The Gunman- Blu-ray/DVD
THE GUNMAN A sniper on a mercenary assassination team, kills the minister of mines of the Congo. Terrier’s successful kill shot forces him into hiding. Returning to the Congo years later, he becomes the target of a hit squad himself.
JULY
July 7, 2015
Drop Box- DVD
DROP BOX Every year, hundreds of newborns – some with birth defects, others simply unwanted – are abandoned in the alleys of Seoul and throughout South Korea, often by desperate single young mothers unable to care for them. THE DROP BOX tells the story of Lee Jong-rak, a pastor who has dedicated his life to embracing and protecting these children deemed undesirable and unlovable.
Woman in Gold- Blu-ray/DVD
WOMAN IN GOLD Maria Altman sought to regain a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers, but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction, and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis. Features Helen Merrin and Ryan Raynolds
Echos of War- DVD
ECHOS OF WAR In post-Civil War Texas, two neighboring families are grieving tragic losses while they struggle to survive in this rural drama. The cattle-ranching McCluskeys have lost both a son and their entire herd to the war. The Rileys, mourning the loss of wife and mother Mary to illness, eke out a living trapping animals and selling their pelts. When Wade Riley (James Badge Dale, The Lone Ranger, Iron Man 3) returns from fighting for the Confederacy, he discovers that Randolph McCluskey (William Forsythe, The Rock, Once Upon a Time in America) and family have been stealing animals from his family’s traps. He decides to take matters into his own hands, sparking yet another tragic and senseless war.
Awaken- DVD
AWAKEN A group of young adults wake up on a deserted tropical island in this suspenseful thriller about black markets and body parts. Billie, a skilled martial arts expert, had been searching for her missing sister, Rina, when she was attacked and dumped on an island. She finds others like her…fit healthy adults in the prime of life, with no idea why they’ve been kidnapped, then let go, only to be hunted down like animals. Billie searches for a way off the island and finds the horrifying answers to some of her questions… a human organ harvesting operation, that picks and chooses from the strongest and most fit survivors.
The Town that Dreaded Sundown- Blu-ray/DVD
THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN Based on a terrifying true story, THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN picks up 65 years after a masked serial killer terrorized the small town of Texarkana, when the brutal “Moonlight Murders” suddenly begin again. While on a trip to Lovers’ Lane, 17-year-old Jami (Addison Timlin) watches as her date is brutally slain by a masked serial killer. Barely escaping with her life, Jami becomes obsessed with finding the killer referred to as “The Phantom.” As the body count mounts and the carnage comes closer, Jami delves deeper into the mystery with the help of the town archivist Nick (Travis Tope), following clues that point her toward the killer’s true identity.
5 Flights Up- Blu-ray/DVD
5 FLIGHTS UP A long-time married couple who’ve spent their lives together in the same New York apartment become overwhelmed by personal and real estate-related issues when they plan to move away. With Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton.
July 14, 2015
Freedom- DVD
FREEDOM Two men separated by time are united in their search for freedom in this gripping tale of slavery, endurance, despair, and redemption. In 1856, Samuel Woodward (Academy Award Winner® Cuba Gooding, Jr. – Selma, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Red Tails) and his family escape their cruel life on a Virginian plantation and begin a dangerous trek to Canada on the Underground Railroad. Over 100 years earlier, in 1748, Captain John Newton (Bernhard Forcher – “Grimm”, “Supernatural”, Boys of Abu Ghraib) is about to set off across the sea with a ship full of slaves. Both men are having struggles of faith and conscience, and both will be tested severely in their journeys. Woodward is relentlessly pursued by a slave hunter, Plimpton, and his two thugs. They will stop at nothing to capture the family, dead or alive. Newton will face sickness, sorrow, and a fierce storm that will endanger the entire ship. In the end, both men will be united by a bond that spans a century and will prove to be the ultimate gift of grace.
EX Machina- Blu-ray/DVD
EX MACHINA Caleb, a 26 year old coder at the world’s largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world’s first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl.
The Longest Ride- Blu-ray/DVD
THE LONGEST RIDE Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City’s art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.
It Follows- Blu-ray/DVD
IT FOLLOWS For nineteen-year-old Jay, the fall should be about school, boys and week-ends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind.
July 21, 2015
Kung Fu Killer- Blu-ray/DVD
KUNG FU KILLER A martial arts instructor from the police force gets imprisoned after killing a man by accident. But when a vicious killer starts targeting martial arts masters, the instructor offers to help the police in return for his freedom.
July 28, 2015
Helix: The Complete Second Season- Blu-ray/DVD
HELIX: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON After barely escaping with their lives, the survivors of Season One attempt to move on from the horrors that took place at Arctic BioSystems. But when their work takes them to a mysterious and remote wooded island, they quickly discover the Ilaria Corporation’s reach is deeper and darker than anyone imagined, and a deadly new virus presents a threat that no one thought possible.
The Water Diviner- Blu-ray/DVD
THE WATER DIVINER An Australian man travels to Turkey after the Battle of Gallipoli to try and locate his three missing sons. Stars Russell Crowe
Home- Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, DVD
HOME When Oh, a loveable misfit from another planet, lands on Earth and finds himself on the run from his own people, he forms an unlikely friendship with an adventurous girl named Tip who is on a quest of her own. Through a series of comic adventures with Tip, Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being human. And while he changes her planet and she changes his world, they discover the true meaning of the word HOME
AUGUST
August 4, 2015
Chocolate City- DVD
CHOCOLATE CITY Welcome to Chocolate City, where the music is hot, the mood is magical, and the dancers are simply delicious. Women go wild when the arrival of a young, new dancer (Robert Ri’chard) has the spot sizzling like never before. Michael, a college student, is struggling to help his mother (Vivica A. Fox) make ends meet. When his part time job doesn’t pay the bills, he begins to find success at the nightclub dancing as “Sexy Chocolate.” As the money starts rolling in, Michael must deal with the unexpected pressure of being the new favorite flavor while hiding his “job” from his mother and girlfriend.
August 11, 2015
Northmen- A Viking Saga- Blu-ray/DVD
NORTHMEN- A VIKING SAGA tells the story of a group of Vikings in the ninth century who sets sail for Britain, aiming to plunder the rich monasteries in the northern part of the island. But a storm smashes the ship to pieces on the rocks off the coast of Scotland, the only part of Britain without any Viking settlements. Soon thereafter, the daughter of the Scottish King falls into their hands and the Vikings see this as an opportunity to demand a large ransom. The King immediately sets his ‘wolfpack’ — a group of mercenaries well known for their savagery — on the Vikings. The “Northmen” with their hostage now have to force their way through the rough highlands, where they meet the brave and mysterious Christian monk Conall (Ryan Kwanten). Having the wolfpack close on their heels, a desperate race against time begins. A battle over life and death…
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
