New DVD releases out Jan. 17 focus on women dealing with serious problems.
• “The Girl on the Train” HH: Emily Blunt turns in a strong performance as a woman who watches what looks like an ideal family during her commute. The film begins to loose its strength as her character gets pulled into a murder investigation.
This is the big-screen version of the book by Paula Hawkins. It’s an example of how events and actions told in printed material don’t always transfer to the big screen. There’s some suspense but mostly the plot is slow and plodding.
Don’t blame Blunt as she turns in another memorable performance.
• “Ouija: Origin of Evil” (zero stars): The title of “Ouija: Origin of Evil” should be changed to the more appropriate “Ouija: Bored.” This lackluster follow up to the incredibly bad “Ouija” of two years ago is more likely to put you to sleep than keep you awake.
The scariest thing about the original “Ouija” was that the viewer might get crushed under its pile of cliches or fall out of her seat from boredom.
You don’t have to ask a Ouija board about the quality of this failed attempt at horror. If you did, it would spell out S-T-I-N-K-E-R.
Also on DVD
• “Keeping Up with the Joneses”: Couple discover their new neighbors are hiding huge secrets.
• “Dancer”: A look at the life of talented dancer Sergei Polunin.
• “Long Way North”: Animated tale of a young woman’s search for her missing grandfather.
• “The Whole Truth”: Defense attorney Richard Ramsey (Keanu Reeves) takes on a personal case.
• “Lego Nexo Knights — Season 2: Book of Monsters”: Knights continue their fight against Jestro.
• “Zero Days”: Documentary on the world of cyberwar.
• “Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania”: World famous surf crew visits Cody Maverick’s island.
• “Huntwatch”: Ryan Reynolds narrates this look at efforts to save the seals.
• “The Babymooners”: Woman crates video for her child two weeks before the baby is born.
• “Train to Busan”: Passengers must get past zombies to get to safety.
• “Come and Find Me”: Aaron Paul plays a man who gets caught in the dangerous criminal underworld while looking for his missing girlfriend.
• “The Free World”: Man adjust to life after prison.
• “Ali”: Michael Mann’s look at the boxer who was “The Greatest.”
On digital HD
• “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”: Jack Reacher is accused of murder.
• “Masterminds”: Man who steals $17 million must track down criminals who double-crossed him.
