Phil Villarreal's novel, Zeta Male, is available at Amazon.
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Here are the best recent home video releases:
The Huntsman: Winter's War
The sequel fails to live up to the legacy of the dynamic visual knockout that proceeded it. Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt play rival sisters in this loose retelling of the fable on which "Frozen" is based, with Snow White falling to the wayside for a sloppy mess of an adventure that features Chris Hemsworth in the title role and Jessica Chastain as his love interest For my full review of the film, click here. The Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo includes featurettes on the main characters, the swards and the visuals.
Midnight Run
Robert De Niro plays a cop-turned-bounty hunter who seeks to bring in a thieving accountant played by Charles Grodin, with the men becoming unlikely allies as they both find themselves in over their heads. Witty banter and excellent performances by both leads make this 1988 buddy comedy one of the most memorable of the decade. The Blu-ray includes a new interview with De Niro, a vintage making-of featurette and cast interviews from the era.
The Nice Guys
Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling make for an excellent pairing in this action comedy from director Shane Black. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the film stars Gosling as a private eye who works with his heavy (Crowe) to find a missing girl and track down the killer of a porn star, shaking out a conspiracy that puts both their lives in danger. Witty banter and excellent action make this film a winner. The Blu-ray/digital copy combo includes a making-of featurette and a profile of the director.
Ratchet & Clank
Based on a PlayStation platformer video game series, the film tells the origin story of smart-mouthed, furry creature Ratchet and his robotic sidekick. Impressive visuals and a strong voice cast (Paul Giamatti, Bella Thorne, Sylvester Stallone and Rosario Dawson) help make up for a milquetoast script. The Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo includes a cast and crew discussion about the heroes, as well as the difficulties of adapting the game to film.
The Wonder Years: The Complete Series
All 115 episodes from the iconic 1988-1993 nostalgic drama are included in this 22-disc set, which stars Fred Savage as a small-town boy coming of age in the 1960s. Maybe the most impressive aspect of the show is its soundtrack, which bursts with 300 iconic songs from the era. Extras included six new featurettes, a set tour, a cast reunion and roundtable discussion, and the vintage ABC broadcast of the series finale.
Studios provided review screeners.
