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New on DVD: ‘Wish’ draws laughs, tears

The Columbian
Published: October 31, 2014, 12:00am

Capsule reviews of the this week’s video releases, on DVD and Blu-ray, including special features:

• “Wish I Was Here” (R, 120 minutes, Universal): Billed as a comedy, the film has its funny moments, but don’t be fooled: It’s a tear-jerker. Ten years after “Garden State,” actor and writer Zach Braff explores another infinite abyss in this story of a father trying to stay afloat during a chaotic time for his family. For all its fairy tale reveries and songs from the Shins, the movie digs up some real emotions. “Wish I Was Here” touches on timely themes and does so with an artistic vulnerability. Contains profane language and sexual content. Extras include deleted scenes, a “Directing While Acting” featurette; Aston Martin dealership outtakes; commentary with Zach Braff and co-writer/producer Adam Braff.

• “Life of Crime” (R, 99 minutes, Lionsgate): Some are characterizing “Life of Crime” as a prequel to the great “Jackie Brown.” The new film, based on crime king Elmore Leonard’s 1978 novel “The Switch,” centers on two characters featured in the 1997 film (also based on a Leonard book, “Rum Punch”). Aside from sharing the characters of Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie — played by Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson — “Life of Crime” is no prequel. The new Louis and Ordell, as portrayed by John Hawkes and Mos Def (who is now calling himself Yasiin Bey), register less indelibly on our senses than they do in “Jackie Brown.” Both actors do an adequate job of bringing to life the characters that they have been given. But the story, adapted for the screen and directed by Daniel Schechter, feels noticeably sluggish and spiritless. Contains crude language, sex, nudity, drug use and some violence. Extras include commentary with Schechter and actor Will Forte, deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette and a “Hit & Run: Choreographing Mayhem” featurette.

• “Deliver Us From Evil” (R, 118 minutes, Sony): Director and co-writer Scott Derrickson (“Sinister”) tries way too hard to crank up the tension, setting the film in what looks like monsoon season in the Bronx, N.Y., and ensuring that no scene is lit by more than a police-issue Maglite. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer seems to think he’s making an R-rated version of a “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, ratcheting up his signature mix of supernatural hoo-ha and comedy with grisly violence and gore. Extras include commentary by Derrickson and a making-of featurette shot on location in the Bronx. Also, on Blu-ray: “Deliver Us From Demons” all-access look at the production’s approach to creating a demonic presence; a behind-the-scenes breakdown of the collaboration and process used by Ralph Sarchie and Eric Bana as the character “Ralph Sarchie”; and an interview with Sarchie on his experiences.

TV on DVD

“WKRP In Cincinnati: The Complete Series,” “Masterpiece Mystery!: Death Comes to Pemberley” (PBS), “Vera Set 4” (BBC mystery series with acclaimed actress Brenda Blethyn, Acorn), “Accused Series 1 & 2” (North American debut of British crime series with star-studded cast, Acorn) and “Lovejoy Series 3” (British crime series, Acorn).

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