Here are this week's hottest home video releases:
Ash vs. Evil Dead: Season 2
Bruce Campbell continues to thrive in the role of cocksure zombie slayer Ash, the role he excelled in in the "Evil Dead" flicks. Season two of the superb Starz dramedy follows Ash as he returns to his hometown of Elk Grove, reuniting with a former flame to take on the marauding armies of darkness. Commentary tracks, a making of featurette and character profiles fill out the extras.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper all return for a thrilling, high-powered sequel with a rocking 1970s and 80s soundtrack that matches the original in most ways and manages to top it in some. Michael Douglas plays Ego, who holds some answers that Pratt's Starlord character has long been seeking. When they meet, the team is divided as it confronts a nefarious effort to lay waste to the cosmos. For my full review, click here. Extras include scene breakdowns, a look at the new Disney California Adventure ride, a gag reel, deleted scenes and commentary from director James Gunn.
La Poison (Criterion)
This 1951 dark French comedy follows a bitter, married couple (Michel Simon and Germaine Reuver) as they bicker, stew in misery and plot to off one another. Filmmaker Sacha Guitry subtly mocks society and the construct of a lifelong, happy marriage in this cult classic. Extras include a tribute booklet, a documentary on Guitry's life and an interview with filmmaker Oliver Assayas.
Sid & Nancy (Criterion)
Fashioning fiction out of a combination of truth, rumors and innuendo, director Alex Cox tells the story of the tumultuous romance between Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious (Gary Oldman) and Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb). This 1986 drama thrives in its recreation of the lifestyles of reckless rock stars. Extras include a tribute booklet, two commentary tracks, a 1987 "Sid & Nancy" making-of documentary, archival footage and interviews.
The Walking Dead: Season 7
TV's top-rated drama continues to please its legions of fans, with a twist-filled season that finds Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors pressed under the thumb of the brutal Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Deleted scenes, episode commentaries and an army of featurettes that break down several aspects of the production, as well as the cultural impact of the show, fill out the slate of extras.
Studios provided review screeners.
