The good Captain leads off the week’s DVDs:

DVDs for Sept. 9 by Boo Allen

 

This week, we begin with The Captain:

 

 

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (***)

Nothing marks the end of the summer movie season better than the home entertainment arrival of summer’s first big blockbuster. In this successful sequel to the huge 2011 hit, Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers, becoming Marvel Comics super-hero Captain America. Scarlett Johansson plays the dangerous but talented Natasha Romanoff, also known as The Black Widow.  Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely’s screenplay uses the simple formula of sending someone on the run and having him only turning to those he trusts. Steve Rogers jumps into action when it looks like the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have been betrayed. Before long, the government assembles a huge, unneeded war machine. Brother-directors Anthony and Joe Russo orchestrate their quick-cutting action scenes, with many excessively close-shots from cinematographer Trent Opaloch. Fight scenes rapidly unfold, with Captain America fighting foes he had long thought conquered. Robert Redford plays a duplicitous cabinet member. The stand-out cast also includes Emily VanCamp, Gary Shandling, Hayley Atwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie.

Rated PG-13, 136 minutes.

Extras: commentary, three making of featurettes totaling around 15 minutes, four deleted scenes, three minutes of bloopers, and more.

 

 

Blood Glacier (***)

The blood may be slow in arriving, but when finally unleashed, it takes some novel approaches in hitting the screen. This German language blood-fest, with an alternate English-language soundtrack, takes place mostly in the picturesque Alps and uses the settings to heightened effect—blood looks much redder against snow. A scientific team investigates the effects of global warming in the mountains, but it seems some strange animal, first thought to be a rabid fox, prowls nearby. The scientists expect the arrival of another distinguished group, headed by a pushy, big shot politician who eventually discovers she can fight monsters as well. Director Marvin Kren expertly conjures up the frights by using frightening slight-of-hand to complement the blood splatters.

Not rated, 97 minutes.

 

 

Bee People (***)

This thoughtful documentary examines the bee crisis that could affect the world’s food supply. Various experts give their best theories as to why so many bee colonies have recently disappeared. Interviewees include Gregg McMahan, known as “The Bee Guru,” Mike Gallagher, “The Bee Medic,” and others.

Not rated, 102 minutes

Extras: the 16 minute featurette “Extracting Honey.”

 

Arrowsmith (**1/2), Enchantment  (***)

On Demand Warner Archives releases a pair of unrated films, both with distinguished pedigrees. Legendary John Ford directed Arrowsmith (1931, 108 minutes), taking Nobel Laureate Sinclair Lewis’ novel for its source. The sprawling melodrama stars two Oscar winning actors, Helen Hays in a perfunctory role as wife to crusading research physician Martin Arrowsmith (Ronald Coleman). The film follows the young couple as they meet, start off on an early medical practice, have failures and successes, and eventually take an unexpected path. The film shows its age, but nevertheless delivers Lewis’ solid narrative through Ford’s able hands.  Enchantment (1948, 100 minutes) shows an early, deft use of mixed chronology in telling the story of what finally becomes the history of a London residence. Now populated by an aging Sir Roland Dane (a heavily made-up David Niven), the house once served as home to Dane’s family. Roland grew up there, as evinced in flashback, along with his brother and mean sister (Jane Meadows as the adult). In their childhood, their father adopts recently orphaned Lark Ingoldsby, played as an adult by Teresa Wright. The film’s other main action takes place during World War II, when an American relative, Grizel Dane (Evelyn Keyes), comes to town, introduces herself to her uncle Roland, moves in, and eventually becomes involved with injured Canadian pilot Pax Masterson (Farley Granger), not so coincidentally Lark’s nephew. With bombs falling, Pax and Grizel fall in love while re-telling in flashback their family’s colorful, intertwined history. Cinematographer Gregg Toland shows the same fondness for deep focus and high angles that he used when filming Citizen Kane.

 

And for kids this week:

 

Worlds Together: Cuba

 

 

The Magic School Bus: Human Body

The four episodes of the popular animated TV series in this collection, along with a 70 page booklet, explain the human anatomy for youngsters. Taken from Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen’s books, the series stars affable Ms. Frizzle as she provides her eager class with learning experiences.

Rated: TV-G, 78 minutes.

 

 

And, finally, from our TV arrivals:

 

The Midnight Express—Collector’s Edition

One of rock music’s most influential, most watched TV programs becomes available in a whopping eleven disc set. Visionary producer Burt Sugarman created the series that began on NBC in August, 1972 and ran until 1981. Grabbing the unwanted midnight time slot, Sugarman showcased many of the best known names in rock, and many who went on to fame after appearing on the program. Of the discs, eight are devoted solely to 130 performances given by such rock luminaries as David Bowie, the Bee Gees, Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind and Fire, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, John Denver, Neil Sedaka, Ray Charles, Carlos Santana, and many, many more. One disc contains comedy performances from the era’s best known names, such as Billy Crystal, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman, and many others.

Not rated, approx. 16 hours. Also available in scaled-down six disc and single disc sets.

Extras: two discs of supplements include a dozen, variegated “making of” featurettes along with accompanying interviews. Plus: a 32 page booklet.

 

 

Person of Interest—season three

This popular network series continues its successful run with its clever premise holding strong, that of the all-knowing Machine that sees and hears everything and then alerts Mr. Finch (Michael Emerson). He then delegates Mr. Reese (Jim Caviezel) to intercept someone before disaster strikes. This season, the duo again receives helps from unexpected outside sources Root and Shaw (Amy Acker and Sarah Shahi, respectively, both North Texas natives). Root begins the season in a mental institution but doesn’t stay there long. Shaw continues to harness her quick trigger and formidable skills. The season sees the group attending a high school reunion, uncovering an international conspiracy, catching a con man, reuniting a father and son, and many other weekly dramas that also required assistance from detective Fusco (Kevin Chapman) and officer, busted down from detective, Carter (Taraji P. Henson).

Not rated, 1001 minutes.

Extras: commentary on the season finale, a 26 minute “making of” featurette focusing on artificial intelligence, a six minute featurette about the loss of a crucial cast member, a brief segment on Bear the series’ dog, 25 minutes with cast and crew on a Comic-Con panel, a three minute gag reel, and more.

 

 

 

Also on DVD: Borgman, Fed Up, The Hornet’s Nest, Ida, Last Passenger.