Two films that earned Oscar attention and a sequel are among this week’s new DVD releases.
• “Hacksaw Ridge” 3 1/2 stars: Man who refuses to carry a gun into one of the bloodiest battles of World War II becomes a hero. Andrew Garfield stars.
Playing a pacifist in such a deadly war zone is a tricky proposition. Garfield shows just the right amount of commitment to make the hardline stand feel real while allowing his emotions to occasionally bubble to the surface. Playing the role with too little commitment would have turned the character into a World War II version of Gomer Pyle.
• “Nocturnal Animals” 3 stars: Tom Ford sprinkles in some commentary about life and art using nudity to show the starkness of beauty and the beauty of starkness.
He uses nudity in various ways, not as a sexual element, but as an exclamation point for pivotal moments in the story. He can do this because Jake Gyllenhaal is so compelling to watch as a wounded author and broken husband/father, and Amy Adams can sell sadness with a simple look.
Michael Shannon turns in yet another brilliant performance as the one person who thinks revenge is overrated.
• “Bad Santa 2” 3 1/2 stars: The team gets back together to rob a charity. The script by Johnny Rosenthal and Shauna Cross will make you uncomfortable and embarrassed at your laughter. It’s OK.
Think of it as just being pulled into the impressive acting abilities that are getting better and better for Billy Bob Thornton.
• “Beauty and the Beast” 3 1/2 stars : Christophe Gans’ fantasy adventure is a stunning look at the fairytale. This version of the story not only offers a superbly romantic tale but ramps up the action.
The new live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast” being released by Disney will be hard pressed to be more visually appealing and beautifully played as this offering. The only flaw is the watching the movie with dubbed voices.
Also on DVD
• “Manchester by the Sea”: Teenage boy moves in with his uncle after his father dies.
• “Level”: Good cop has a dark secret.
• “Joe Bullet”: The 1972 film was originally banned by the apartheid government in South Africa.
• “Three Classic Films by Claude Chabrol”: Includes “Betty,” “Torment” and “The Swindle.”
On digital HD
• “Jackie”: Natalie Portman plays Jacqueline Kennedy in the days just after JFK’s assassination.
• “Man Down”: Former Marine returns home to a different world.
