BC Living
Spreads – From Scratch
You’ve Gotta Try This In May
How to Support BC Wineries Now
4 Tips on Balancing a Nutritious Diet with a Side of Indulgence
Choosing Connection: A BC Family Day Pledge to Prioritize Presence Over Plans
Embracing Plant-Based Living this Veganuary and Beyond
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Local Getaway: A Mini Cozy Sanctuary in Nelson
B.C. Adventures: Our picks for May
Spring into Fun in Kamloops: The Best Events in the City
BC Distilled
Melodies and Museums: Solo-Friendly Entertainment for the Independent Traveller
Arts Club Theatre Company Celebrates 60 Years
Pyrrha Connects People With Pieces That Speak To Them
BC-Based Gifts Perfect for Mom
SOLO CHIC: 5 Essential Pieces for the Stylish Solo Traveller
From terminally-ill science teachers turned drug dealer (Breaking Bad) to ex-operatives turned wanted criminals (Safe House), this week's DVDs are sure to have you on the edge of your seat
Catch up on Breaking Bad before the much-anticipated fifth season starts on July 15th
Pick of the Week
This series about a terminally-ill science teacher who turns to making and selling drugs in order to leave money for his family continues to get better and better with each season. As Walter White (Bryan Cranston, who leaves any memory of his dopey dad character from Malcolm in the Middle in the dust) and his on-again-off-again partner Jesse (Aaron Paul) become more entrenched in the life and business of their “boss” Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), their lives continue to spin desperately out of control.
It doesn’t hurt that they are supported by a cast of great actors (especially Dean Norris as Hank and Jonathan Banks as Mike the cleaner) who keep the suspense and lighter moments in perfect harmony. There are tons of EXTRAS on this set including audio commentaries from cast and crew members on all episodes as well as bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, video podcasts and much more. (Sony)
DVDs:
Finally, after many false starts over the past few decades, a film adaptation of the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars books finally hits the big screen. Unfortunately, it quickly became one of the biggest cinematic flops ever, which is totally unwarranted since this film as an entertaining flick worthy of its literary roots. Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) stars as the Civil War soldier who finds himself on Barsoom (what the Martians call Mars) where he battles creatures beyond his imagination in order to save Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). EXTRAS include audio commentary from director Andrew Stanton and others as well as a few behind-the-scenes featurettes. (Disney)
After an ex-operative turned wanted criminal (Denzel Washington) seeks refuge at a CIA safe house in South Africa, the young inexperienced agent in charge (Ryan Reynolds) finds himself on the run with the man after people with inside knowledge attack the house intending on killing him. (Universal)
When an ex-cop (Avatar’s Sam Worthington) climbs out on the ledge of a Manhattan high rise threatening to jump, a police psychologist (Elizabeth Banks) is called in to talk him down. What she doesn’t know is that he is part of an elaborate and deadly diamond robbery in this complex and entertaining thriller.
Dwayne Johnson takes over for Brendon Fraser in this family action film about a young man (The Hunger Games’ Josh Hutcherson) who enlists her mother’s boyfriend (Johnson) to help him track down his missing grandfather (Michael Caine), who may have found a mythical island. (Warner)
This action film blends reality and fiction by casting actual Navy SEALS in the lead roles as the soldiers who are sent into the war torn jungle to rescue a CIA operative but find out that there is a more sinister terrorist plot behind it all.
Although this sounds like an exploitation flick along the lines of Hobo with a Shotgun, this is actually the true story of Sam Childers (played by Gerard Butker), a man who leaves his criminal past behind, discovers God and decides to risk his life to help build an orphanage in the Sudan. (Alliance)
Pop legend Madonna directed and co-wrote this romantic drama two similar relationships, one between King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy) and an American woman named Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough)(for whom he gave up the throne) and another between a married woman (Abbie Cornish) and a Russian security guard (Oscar Isaac). (eOne)
It’s like Walking Tall meets Gran Torino as 60-year-old war veteran Frank (Danny Trejo) finally snaps after the murder of his friend and decides to take justice into his own iron-fisted hands in this action-thriller. (Fox)
Jared Keeso reprises his role from the first miniseries as the life and career of the flamboyant Canadian hockey legend continues. In this two-part sequel, filmmakers flash back and forth between Cherry’s early days on the ice before picking up on his controversial broadcasting career. (eOne)
This low-budget horror film deals with a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. When they return to their rural hometown, they soon find that the other desperate survivors aren’t the worst of their problems. (Anchor Bay)
John Wayne stars in the title role, a tough-as-nails cavalry scout who finds himself falling for a farmer’s wife (Geraldine Page). When he can’t convince her to take her son and leave their farm due to an imminent Apache attack, he is forced to stand by her and fight for their lives. This 1953 Western (based on a story by Louis L’Amour) was originally shot in 3D, but unfortunately that is not part of this new blu-ray release. Instead you get a pristine re-mastering of this long out-of-print classic as well as audio commentary from film critic Leonard Maltin and others; The Making of Hondo features and more. (Paramount)
TV ON DVD:
Britain’s unlikable grump of a doctor (Martin Clunes) returns for a fifth season with a village full of new problems, not the least of which is his own personal struggle with his delicate relationship with Louisa after they have become new parents as well as trying to figure out whether he should stick with his plans of moving back to London. Meanwhile, Martin suffers a family tragedy and tries to cope with the new doctor (Joanna Scanlan) taking over his practice. All 8 episodes are here in this 2-disc set. (Acorn)
In this light-hearted British mystery series, DS Pullman (Amanda Redman) leads a group of eccentric and underestimated retired cops (Alun Armstrong, Dennis Waterman and James Bolam) as they take on trying to solve the cases that have been left behind. This 3-DVD set contains all 10 episodes from the season. (Acorn)
In this 6-hour mini-series from 1977, Jason Robards stars as Richard Monkton, the President of the U.S., who gets caught up in corruption and dirty tricks alongside his team of conniving “yes-men”. Based on the book The Company by John Erlichman, which chronicled his time working under Richard Nixon, this is a thinly-veiled look at that administration and that President’s fall during Watergate. This is a top-notch example of 1970s American TV with a supporting cast that includes Robert Vaughn, Andy Griffith, Stefanie Powers and Cliff Robertson. (Acorn)
This sitcom stars Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine and Anders Holm as three roommates who also work together at thankless jobs as telemarketers. Although Season One had been released on DVD before, this is the first time it and now Season Two are available on blu-ray. All 20 episodes are here along with plenty of bonus features. (Paramount)
If you’re a fan of Perry the Platypus (especially his adventures as Agent P) then you’ll want to pick up this collection of episodes in which he is front and center. This 2-disc collection features 7 episodes from the series. (Disney)
Fans of Glee may want to check out this early precursor to the prime-time musical genre from 1987-1988. Set in the 1960s, Joseph Bologna plays millionaire playboy Nick Foley, a New Jersey regular guy who made it rich with a frozen food company. When he realizes he needs to have a more family-friendly image, he brings six orphan girls (including Kimiko Gelman from The Hunger Games) into his home temporarily to pose as his family. What he didn’t realize was that he would become emotionally attached to the kids and then permanently adopts them. Each episode contains songs from the era (with sometime lyrical changes to fit the plot) sung by the cast. This 5-disc set contains all 20 episodes (including the original pilot TV movie) with guest star appearances from Bill Maher, Shannon Tweed and Alex Rocco. (Image)
After their mission is sabotaged, the men of G.I. Joe – including Roadblock, Scarlett and Tunnel Rat – are forced to become fugitives in order to clear their names in this animated action series based on the Hasbro toys. This 2-DVD set contains the first 13 episodes of the series premiere season. (Shout Factory)
This five-disc set includes over 11 hours of pulse-pounding UFC action in this 10 episode elimination series of fights coached by Michael Bisping and Jason Miller. (Anchor Bay)
